There a number of considerable issues facing iwi who have mandated organisations to represent them. For Rongowhakaata there is the issue of the Rongowhakaata Trust and Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa. A performance review of Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa Trustees and Management was held during 2004/2005 to date none of the recommendations that resulted have been addressed. Of major concern was the poor consultation and communication between governance and management to the major stakeholders.
The Rongowhakaata Trust is entering into a performance review, four years after it was recommended. Not only is the review a must it is well over due. There is no form of onflict Resolution therefore the stakeholders have no way to measure the performance of the individual trustees or the trust as an entity.
The Rongowhakaata Trust Deed was amended in 2006,to date none of these amendments have been registered with Companies Register of NZ. There is an issue therefore with their legitimacy as an entity. While these issues are continually raised at Hui a Iwi and Annual General Meetings
the iwi stakeholders do not have a leg to stand on.
If these were private companies they would have been put out of business years ago or faced bankruptcy to say the least. This serves as a warning for iwi, beware of GATEKEEPERS.