About Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka Ki Puketeraki
1. Historical Perspective:
The earliest people of this area, formerly known as Waikouaiti, were Rapuwai, Hāwea, and Waitaha, followed by Kāti Māmoe and more recently Kāi Tahu. They had many settlements along the eastern Otago coast some of which endure to today as the kaika or villages of this area. On a seasonal basis our tupuna traversed Otago and Murihiku gathering food and other resources. Our shared interest in those inland areas continues to this day.
2. Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki Incorporated Society
The Incorporated Society was formed in 1990 to provide the rūnaka with a legal form. The need for a legal structure was becoming increasingly important to our community as we participated in the negotiations around the settlement of the Ngāi Tahu Claim and started to prepare ourselves for the post-settlement environment. Since that time the Incorporated Society has been the main means by which we have operated. However the Incorporated Society has also formed a Trust that holds some land assets and an investment company called Pūketeraki Ltd.
The Annual General meetings of all these entities are usually held on the first Sunday in November. The audited financial accounts are presented at that time. Triennial elections of the Incorporated Society take place every three years, the next one is due in November 2012.
Mission Statement: The rūnaka incorporated society is a vehicle of our papatipu rūnaka that exists to provide ways for our people to engage at a hapū level to uphold the values and mana of Kāti Huirapa i Puketeraki and Kai te Ruahikihiki i Puketeraki.
Our guiding principles are manaakitaka, whanaukataka, kaitiakitaka, wairuataka, rakatirataka and kaikokiritaka.
3. The Executive
The Rūnaka Executive is elected at the Triennial General Meeting or a Special Meeting of the Rūnaka. The Executive also have the power to co-opt to fill any casual vacancy. The maximum membership of the Executive is 10 members including a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson and a Treasurer.
The Executive is charged with determining the management and control of the affairs of the rūnaka, subject to the directions of the rūnaka in Annual, Special or General meetings.
4. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Representative and Alternate Representative
The TRoNT Representative and Alternate Representative are appointed by an Appointment Committee who themselves are elected by a Rūnaka Postal Voting Process.
At the Triennial meeting held in November 2009 Matapura Ellison and Katharina Ruckstuhl were appointed respectively as the Representative and Alternate Representative to TRoNT.
5. Rūnaka Office
Since 1987 the Rūnaka has employed people to carry out the work of the Rūnaka. The first employees were funded through government initiatives such as the work skills Maori Access Scheme, known as MACCESS. Then in 1992 the rūnaka took up one of the first initiatives of Ngāi Tahu Development Corporation who offered funding for Rūnaka to build their administration capacity. Joy Smith was the sole administrator from 1992 until around 2000 when the Runaka started to grow its paid administrative capacity.
The Office now has a Rūnaka Manager, Suzanne Ellison who is contracted to provide management services to the rūnaka. Anna Day is the Administration Officer. Brendan Flack is the Maintenance person with responsibility for the upkeep of buildings and grounds, urupa and reserves that the rūnaka is associated with. Aroha Ellison is employed as Kaiawhina for the rūnaka. Most of Aroha’s time is taken up with marae related work but she also supports elders and kaumatua as well as initiating tamariki activities.
Other people are contracted for specific tasks as required and as funding allows.
6. Pūketeraki Ltd
In April 2001 at a Rūnaka General Meeting the rūnaka agreed to establish a charitable company to administer the rūnaka investments and advance their charitable objectives. It was agreed the company would be 100% owned by the Incorporated Society.
In 2003 a Steering Group of five members were mandated to advance the formation of the charitable company.
Pūketeraki Ltd was incorporated on 2 December 2004. The current directors of the company are Katharina Ruckstuhl (Chair), Brendan Flack, Hinerangi Ferrall-Heath, Haines Ellison, Elizabeth Newell (trainee director) and Shelley Griffiths (independent director).
7. Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki Strategic Plan 2007 - 2010
Ka whati te tai, ka pao te tōrea. When the tide recedes the tōrea strikes.
The rūnaka has developed a challenging strategic plan that it is working to implement. Te tapu o te takata – for the well-being of our people.