Memorandum of Understanding / Kawenata Tauaroaro
“Ki te kotahi kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia e kore e whati.
Alone we can be broken, standing together, we are invincible.”
Ngā Hapū e Toru (Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu me Ngāti Te Kahu)
and
Scion (The New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited)
Te Iho - Purpose
This Memorandum of Understanding establishes and records the enduring partnership between Ngā Hapū e Toru and Scion.
Ngā Rōpū - The Parties
Ngā Hapū e Toru; Ngāti Hurungaterangi; Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu o Ngāti Whakaue are the mana whenua hapū of the Whakarewarewa No.1 land block which includes 114 hectares where Scion is situated.
Ngā Hapū e Toru’s vision is: ‘mā te whanaungatanga, ka tiakina te mana o te whenua me ngā hapū’ – the mana of the land and hapū are strengthened through strong partnerships.
The land is currently the subject of a Treaty of Waitangi claim under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 (WAI 533) by Ngā Hapū e Toru.
Scion is the lead crown research institute in sustainable forest management, forest biosecurity, forestry-based ecosystem services, wood processing, wood related bioenergy, waste streams and other biomaterials.
Scion’s vision is ‘Mai i te ngahere oranga’ - prosperity from trees.
Background
The background documents to this memorandum are the Fenton Agreement and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Kainga - Scope
The memorandum prescribes the principles that apply to all engagement between the parties and expresses the intent of the parties to work together in partnership. Notwithstanding any other provision, this memorandum is not a legally binding document and does not create any legally enforceable obligations on either party.
Ngā Mātāpono – Principles
The following mātāpono underpin the relationship
Whakapapa
The foundation of this relationship is the whakapapa connection that Nga Hapū e Toru have as mana whenua and their relationship to Scion as the current landowner.
Kotahitanga
The parties recognise the value of working together in the spirit of cooperation and partnership.
Rangatiratanga
Each party will remain autonomous and self-determining, while acknowledging the other’s world view.
Ngā Hapū e Toru will work with Scion as mutually beneficial goals arise that require co-governance and co-management.
Manaakitanga
The parties will interact with each other with respect, honesty, humility and kindness. Hospitality will be extended to manuhiri/visitors in a way that upholds their mana and enhances the mana of the parties.
Tiakina te mana o te whenua
The parties have a responsibility to protect the whenua and waterways for future generations.
Duration
This memorandum will remain in place until both parties agree in writing that it will be terminated.
Annual Reporting
Both parties will agree to ‘key focus areas’ through a bi-annual schedule of actions.
Each party’s representative will meet at least quarterly to discuss and agree the state of the relationship, progress on key focus areas, benefits being realised to both parties and any issues or risks.
A joint annual progress report will be developed by both parties and tabled to their respective boards.
Variation of memorandum
This memorandum can be varied where both parties agree in writing.
Intellectual Property
All intellectual property and mātauranga brought by each party to the relationship under this memorandum remains the ownership of that party.
Dispute resolution
If a dispute arises, the parties will act in the spirit of respect and co-operation through dialogue and negotiation to find a mutually agreed resolution.
Signed on 25 August 2022 on behalf of Ngā Hāpū e Toru by:
Veronica Butterworth and Hokimatemai Kahukiwa
Signed on 25 August 2022 on behalf of Scion by:
Dr Helen Anderson
