Media release
New $20-million MĀori trust will help develop people
3 March 2005| Download as PDF - 229kb
Te Putea Whakatupu Trust which will eventually receive $20-million in funds has been formally established.
Chairperson June Jackson says it’s appropriate that the Trust should be launched during the Hui Taumata when Māori leaders are focussed on developing the full potential of Māori people.
“Te Putea provides another mechanism to deliver benefits from the Māori fisheries settlement out to all of our people. It’s a new entity and I’m very honoured to be a part of it”, says June.
Te Ohu Kaimoana has established the trust to fulfil an important part of the overall allocation model to distribute Māori fisheries assets. Under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004, the purpose of Te Putea Whakatupu Trust is to promote education, training and research including matters that relate to fisheries, fishing and fisheries related activities.
The Board of Te Ohu Kaimoana has also appointed Teresa Tepania-Ashton and Wira Gardiner as directors on to Te Putea Whakatupu Trust.
June says the Trust will build on the success of the existing Te Ohu Kaimoana scholarship programme and expand it according to the requirements of the Māori Fisheries Act 2004.
The Te Ohu Kaimoana Charitable Trust has already distributed more than 2,000 education and training scholarships to Māori women and men since 1995 to assist them into the business and activity of fishing.