03-Apr-2010
Beneficiary Vote for Special Resolutions to Amend Trust Deed
Over the past year, Trustees have been engaging in a
process to rationalise and streamline the functioning of the Ngāti
Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust.
After a series of consultation hui and the AGM rounds held
in 2009, Trustees received a clear message from beneficiaries to reduce
trustee numbers to a level that would:
• Increase consensus decision making without compromising rigorous Trustee scrutiny of decisions before them
• Reflect the population spread of trustees
• Increase competition for trustee positions
• Ensure appropriate Wharekauri based representation
• Reduce costs to the Trust
• Simplify election rules and processes.
By special resolution, on March 10 2010, Trustees voted to
reduce Trustee numbers from 9 to 7 by reducing Wharekauri Trustee
representation from 7 to 5. The two New Zealand based trustee positions
will not be affected by the proposed Trust Deed changes.
Trustees have also voted to amend the Trust deed to
streamline all voting processes, by requiring an independent electoral
returning officer be appointed for all electoral processes of the Iwi
Trust. Currently this is split between an independent returning officer
and the Trust Secretary.
Any changes to the Trust Deed must not affect the Mandated
Iwi Organisation (MIO) and charitable status of the Iwi Trust. The Iwi
Trust sought independent legal advice that confirmed the amendments will
not affect Charitable and MIO status of the Trust. Confirmation of the
legal advice can be viewed on our website at www.nmow.co.nz.
A Special General Meeting to consider the proposed Trust Deed amendments has been scheduled for:
Date: Thursday 22 April 2010
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Whakamaharatanga Marae, Te One, Wharekauri
Beneficiaries can either cast their vote for the amendments
at the Special General Meeting, or return their voting form in the
enclosed self addressed envelope. Ballots by mail must be received by
the returning officer no later than 5:00pm on Thursday 22 April 2010.
Trust Deed Changes in Brief:
• To Reduce Chatham Island trustee numbers from 7 to 5 by amending clause 11.2 and 11.2 of the Trust Deed;
• To
Amend Schedule 3, clause 2.9 requiring the returning officer to be an
independent person who is not a beneficiary of the Iwi Trust
• To
Amend Schedule 4, clauses 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 of the Trust Deed
to align all voting processes in the provisions provided in Schedule 3
relating to the Returning Officer.
Comment