Trustees

 Deborah Goomes - Chairperson

Trudee Thomas - Deputy Chairperson

Deborah Goomes 

Deborah's vision is: The advancement of Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri, as Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri.  It is also to strengthen economic standing and promote social well-being and to ensure that the iwi have the ability to self manage their natural resources and to stand strong in their cultural identity. Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri are able to determine their own future, now and for the generations yet to come.

For the past ten years Deborah's professional background has been in Local Government. She is the Corporate Services Manager for the Chatham Islands Council, working in the areas of Finance, Strategic Planning, Policy and Resource Management. She gained admission into the Society of Local Government Managers’ in 2002, and holds a Bachelor of Business Studies in Accounting and a Post Graduate Diploma in Maori Resource and Environmental Management. Having recently served six years on the Chatham Islands Conservation Board she has a strong interest in conservation and the sustainable management of the islands unique environment.

Deborah is also completing a Masters of Indigenous Studies having researched and written a thesis on the ‘Indigenous Peoples Arts of the Chatham Islands’ as a contribution to the oral histories of Ahi Kaa, as told and documented by Ahi Kaa.

Robin Page

Robin Page has lived on the Chathams for 42 years apart from five years at boarding school at Saint Bedes College, Christchurch. He is a third generation fisherman under Pakeha law and has a son that he would like to give the fishing opportunity to. Diving and fishing has always been a big part of his life and he has been self-employed for 22 years. In this time he has set up his own trusts and companies, doing his own bookwork and accounts which is a massive task in fishing these days.

Some of his board experience includes: Young Fishermans Association, Federated Fishermans Association, Founding Executive Member of Cramac 6, Pau Mac 4 Executive, Rocklobster Industry Council.

Robin's key objective for being a Trustee is to ensure the organisation simplifies it's structure, reduces overheads and makes more profit. Growing up on the Chathams he has seen so many people arrive and a lot more leave because of the cost of living, shortage of quality housing and jobs that are hard to come by. Robin feels strongly that the profits made by the Trust from the Fisheries Settlement Assets should be re-invested in Chatham Island Quota. This will assist in buying back 'our island' which will allow the island to control it's own destiny and further develop a fishing industry that increases island jobs and income.

Robin sees the key to success is for Trustees to work together positively as a team, looking to the future not the past. He also wants to see Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri work alongside other island groups, as there is a lot more power in being united, and the island will only move forward when everyone on it is pulling in the same direction.

 Robin is committed to and passionate about ensuring a strong Chathams and a healthy legacy for following generations.

Jamie Tuuta

Nei raa te mihi ki a koutou katoa ngaa uri o Ngaati Mutunga huri rauna i Wharekauri tatu atu raa ki te Waipounamu me te Ika a Maui taea noatia ki te ao.

Jamie Tuuta is a descendant of Tuta Tutere and Pare Hough on his grandfather’s side and Manuera Dix on his grandmother’s side. He has spent most of his life in Taranaki where he now lives after previously living in Wellington for a number of years. Despite not living in Wharekauri Jamie has maintained strong links with whanau and still holds land interests on the island. He has also maintained a keen interest in tribal politics and dynamics over the years and was appointed as a Trustee in December 2009.

Jamie has a range of skills and experience, in particular a background in law and science. He is currently a self employed consultant, advisor and company director. Current work includes providing advice on the Emissions Trading Scheme and Treaty settlements.

Over the years Jamie has held a range of positions for various organisations within the private sector including, agribusiness, fishing, investment, health, Treaty settlements, Maori development and education.

Jamie also has over 12 years governance experience serving on iwi, not for profit organisations and companies in a range of areas. Through his work and governance roles he has built an extensive network and is confident that this will be beneficial for the Ngati Mutunga ki Wharekauri Iwi Trust moving forward.

Jamie has recently retired as chair of Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga (December 2009) and is currently chair of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation and a director of organisations in the health and fisheries sectors. Jamie is also a member of the Governments PEAK Group for Sustainable Land Management and was recently appointed as a member of the Investment Advisory Panel for the Primary Growth Partnership.

Jamie is passionate about and committed to making a positive contribution to Ngati Mutunga. He is also mindful that this role as Trustee is both exciting and challenging as the iwi emerge from what can be described as a politically volatile period. Jamie believes focus should now be on consolidating the present position of the Trust and executing methodically a strategic plan with a clear vision, mission and strategies that will excite iwi members and allow the Trust to lead positive change that will unite the people. This is not an easy task and will take time, commitment and collective effort.

"I strongly believe with the right attitude, the right plan and the right people we can overcome the challenges and barriers of the past and ensure Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri is a vibrant, economically sound and culturally secure people in the future. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the revitalisation of Ngati Mutunga and serve you as iwi members. Kaati raa, ko te rere tonu raa ngaa mihi ki a koutou katoa."

Jack Daymond

Jack was born on Wharekauri and attended Te One School, Wairarapa College and Maori Trade Training at Auckland. He has served as Councillor for the Chatham Islands Council, Executive Member of Te Runanga o Wharekauri Rekohu Inc, Trustee of Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri Trust, Iwi Liaison for the Iwi Transition Agency, Chairman of Wharekauri Claims Committee and Fisheries Negotiator for the Maori Fisheries Settlement process.

Jack has also done voluntary work with Te Hauora Whanui O Wharekauri Child Youth & Families programme under Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri Incorporated Society.

The establishment of the Wharekauri Claims Committee was as a result of rejecting Ngai Tahu’s offer to carry the Chatham claims as an appendage under the 18 Ngai Tahu marae. The committee then went on to prepare evidence and submit WAI 65 in 1988 to the Waitangi Tribunal. In the early 1990’s Jack was involved in negotiations to maintain application of the Treaty of Waitangi to Chatham Iwi when it was proposed by the Crown that the Chatham’s be excluded from the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Settlement and the Maori Fisheries Act. Ngati Mutunga were successful in ensuring access to the fisheries settlement as well as access to the Office of Treaty Settlements claims and settlement process.

In 2002, Jack was involved in the establishment of a single entity to represent Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri for the purposes of the various claims processes required by the Crown. Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust was finally established in September 2004 and since then Jack has been Deputy Chair of the Iwi Trust, committee member on the Claims Working Group, Iwi Liaison for the Kaunihera Kaumatua, co-chair of Pa Tangaroa Cultural Fisheries Forum and director of the Iwi Trust’s fishing company Motuhara Fisheries Limited.

Jack also runs his own farm and is Senior Stevedore for Black Robin Freighters. Jack’s passion for Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri gaining political recognition of customary heritage and Treaty entitlements has meant that he has been involved in ‘iwi politics’ for over 20 years. He understands that there is still a lot more work to do particularly in the cultural areas the Iwi Trust hopes to cover.

Jack’s priority is to protect Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri taonga, whakapapa, history, customary practices, te reo, tikanga to ensure "we know who we are as this is the foundation that will enable us to settle past grievances against Crown with the Office of Treaty Settlements."

The protection of taonga, whakapapa, history, customary practices, te reo, and tikanga is also the foundation that will enable the Iwi Trust to adequately advance the cultural, social, and economic standing of all Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri wherever they may reside.

Mark-Shane Tuuta-Rurehe (Te Waipounamu)