2024 Trustee Elections

Ngā Pātai

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Board have received numerous pātai in regards to the upcoming Trustee elections. We have compiled ‘Ngā Pātai’ to respond to queries around who is eligible to participate in the nomination and registration processes, as well as validation of registrations and deadlines. If you would like further clarification on any of the election nomination or registration processes, please email the Board and CEO via: or Independent Election Services:

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Who can participate in Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Board elections?

Under the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955, only the beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua can participate in the Board elections and:

• nominate candidates for the Board (per section 47(1) of the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955);
• stand as candidates to be elected onto the Board (per section 14(4) of the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955); and/or
• vote in the Board elections (per sections 51 and 52(2) of the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955).

Section 4(2) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Act 1988 states that the beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua are the descendants of Haumoewaarangi, a tūpuna of Ngāti Whātua.

All beneficiaries must be registered on the roll of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua to participate in the Board elections.

 

Can marae obtain copies of the uri registrations held on the Rūnanga database?

Yes. The lists are provided to marae executives (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) for the purpose of assisting the rūnanga in updating member information. These lists must be requested in writing from a marae executive and lists are then provided on a confidential basis. Marae can only access the names of uri that relate to their marae.

The lists we provide each marae highlight members that we no longer hold current contact details for, and or, for whom we have no date of birth.

We cannot send members voting packs if we have no address to send it to, nor can we send voting packs to members if we have no verification\evidence they are eligible to vote (i.e: 18 years of age or older).

The lists also help marae to identify deceased members that may not have been updated on the Rūnanga database.

 

How does the Rūnanga assess if a person has whakapapa to Haumoewaarangi?

Marae are recognised by Te Kauhunganui and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua as being connected by whakapapa to Haumoewaarangi.

We don’t expect every applicant to provide whakapapa back to Haumoewaarangi, but they can if they choose.

We expect applicants to choose their main marae from those identified on the uri registration form.

 

Can whāngai of Ngāti Whātua beneficiaries participate in the Board elections?

Whāngai of Ngāti Whātua beneficiaries who are already registered on the roll of beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua can participate in the Board elections.

The Board has previously exercised its jurisdiction under section 45 of the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955 and determined they were qualified to be included on the roll.

 

Can spouses of Ngāti Whātua beneficiaries participate in the Board elections?

No. Spouses cannot participate in an election. Under the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955, only the beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua can participate in the Board elections.

Section 4(2) of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Act 1988 states that the beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua are the descendants of Haumoewaarangi, a tūpuna of Ngāti Whātua.

 

When do nominations close?

Nominations must be received by Independent Election Services no later than 5pm, Sunday 30^th June.

Originally, the Board set the close off date on 27th June. However, subsequently, the Board decided they want uri to have the maximum time to lodge nominations and added an additional three (3) days to include the long weekend between the 28th and 30th June.

To mitigate any risks of Independent Election Services not receiving postal, or hand delivered nominations during the long weekend 28th to 30th June, we strongly advise you to email nominations no later than midday on the 29th June to:

It’s extremely important that Independent Election Services, with the support of the Rūnanga, have enough time to process nominations before the close-off date at 5pm, Sunday 30th June.

If nominations are submitted too close to the deadline without the required information, the nomination will be deemed invalid.

 

When do new registrations close for the purpose of the 2024 election?

Any new registrations received on or before 5pm on Sunday 30th June will be processed.

Originally, the Board had closed off new uri registrations on 27th June. However, the Board subsequently decided to provide uri with the maximum time for new registrations and added an additional (three) 3 days to include the long weekend 29th to 30th June.

To help mitigate any risk of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua not receiving your postal, or hand delivered registrations during the long weekend (28th to 30th June), please email your completed registration form to:

New registrations can also be completed online: www.ngatiwhatua.iwi.nz/registration

Any new registrations received after 5pm 30th June, will not be allowed to participate in the 2024 election. They will however be processed and added to the uri database. They will be eligible to vote in elections post 2024.

 

Can someone else register me?

We have had complaints from uri about being registered by another person\s without their knowledge.

This is a serious matter, and we have taken steps to prevent this from occurring:

• All new registrations must be completed on a TRoNW registration form
• It must be signed by the person registering
• A valid proof of identity must be provided

A parent can register their tamariki under the age of 18.

 

Who can validate new registrations?

To assist Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua with registrations, marae are delegated responsibility to validate registrations relating to them.

Each marae knows their hapū and whānau better than anyone and can assist uri find their whakapapa. But, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the applicant to prove who they are.

If validation is provided to the Rūnanga by an applicant’s marae, that registration is processed, and the individual is notified they have been accepted.

Every successful applicant is given a unique membership number.

Under section 45 of the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955, the Rūnanga Board has discretion to determine whether any person applying to join the roll of beneficiaries of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua is qualified for inclusion.

Therefore, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua trustees are able to validate applications relating to the takiwā they each represent.

 

How long do I have to update my contact details so I can vote in the 2024 election?

We cannot send you a voting pack if we do not have your current contact details. Therefore, if you have moved since you provided us your last known address, you will need to update your details if you want to receive a voting pack.

You can update your details after the closing date for new registrations on 30th June. Please make sure you allow enough time to receive your pack and be able to vote before the election closes. Update details online: www.ngatiwhatua.iwi.nz/registration

 

Can I vote online?

Yes. We will post out voting packs and you will have the option of voting online. We encourage online voting.