NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU IWI INCORPORATED - BOARD SUMMARY - 27 March 2026

 

Tēnā koutou katoa e te iwi,

This is a summary of notes taken at the Board meeting that was held on Friday 27 March 2026 at the NKII tari on Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings

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NKII CHAIR REPORT

Ngāti Kahungunu asserting cultural, social and political leadership: celebrating the placement of a mauri stone on Kahurānaki Maunga by horse trekkers as an act of healing, whakapapa reconnection and honouring ancestral ties; raising urgent concerns about rising fuel prices caused by global conflict and the pressure this places on whānau, while encouraging preparedness and collective planning; and announcing a united commitment with Hauora providers, Taiwhenua, PSGEs and the Tihei Takitimu IMPB to establish the independent Kahungunu Health Authority, designed to strengthen Māori health outcomes through kotahitanga, innovation and iwi-led decision‑making.

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TAIWHENUA REPORTS

Portfolio discussions highlighted priorities across rangatahi leadership, kaumātua engagement, digital connectivity, Te Reo and Mātauranga investment, and strengthening Taiwhenua relationships. Board member reports reflected strong regional activity, community engagement, and ongoing responses to tangihanga, health initiatives, and marae development. The Chair’s Report emphasised advancing Kotahitanga across Kahungunu entities, progress toward a Kahungunu Health Authority, and preparations for the 2026 elections, noting “a shared direction going forward” with IMPB partners.

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FINANCE UPDATE

Financial reporting shows NKII in a strong position, driven largely by Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga housing funds and administration fee adjustments.

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EVENTS UPDATE

This year marks NKII’s 30‑year celebrations integrated into Matariki events. The usual $60k Matariki Budget that covers across each rohe was increased by the events team to help us celebrate our 30 year celebrations with rohe activities as well as an iwi-wide awards evening to be held at the end of the year.

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KAHUNGUNU KAINGA UPDATE

There’s strong progress across the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga affordable rental pipeline, with 26 homes now completed across Otāne and Flaxmere, both of which have opened and begun tenanting under strict criteria to build stable whānau communities; several other projects in Woodville, Carterton, Onekawa, Te Awa and Hastings are moving through infrastructure, design, consent and early construction stages, while upcoming Kahungunu Kāinga developments in Frimley, Georges Drive and Lovedale are advancing through land purchase, planning and buyer discussions, collectively signalling a steady build‑up of iwi-led housing delivery across the rohe.

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TAIAO UPDATE

Taiao lead outlined Ngāti Kahungunu’s current Taiao work, from opposing the RMA repeal and advancing key water and environmental court cases, to driving iwi-led research, monitoring, fisheries management, wastewater improvements, and upcoming conferences - all aimed at strengthening iwi influence, protecting waterways and moana, and enhancing environmental resilience.

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ĀTEA A RANGI AND TE MATAU A MAUI UPDATE

Ātea a Rangi and Te Matau a Maui Trust have a few Kaupapa coming up that includes a Waka Hub project two major Pacific voyages retracing ancestral routes and the day to day maintenance of the waka.

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FUEL INCREASE

Concern shared for the status due to the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices which is impacting everyone at this time. We are preparing key messaging to support whānau.

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