Case study: Information seminars for marae governors

Marae governors are responsible to their hapū membership for carrying out the role of “kaitiaki” for the marae. In doing so, they must ensure that the marae organisation works within various legal frameworks.

Marae, however, are subject to nine different pieces of legislation*, so marae governors often struggle with the range of requirements that affect them. Reasons for this include:

• difficulty accessing information because of a lack of computers or internet services to the area
• information not being user-friendly, or not available in te reo
• mistrust of local and central government agencies due to historical grievances.

Local and central government presented joint information seminars to marae governors about the range of legislative and funding requirements affecting marae. 

The seminars provided information on the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act, and the Marae Reservation Regulations, how to make successful applications to the Department of Internal Affairs for Lottery Marae Heritage Funding, and the taxation impacts of receiving this income.

Thirteen seminars were held at different marae between February and June 2008. In total 350 trustees and committee members attended, representing 197 marae and 235 hapū. 

The joint central and local government team included the Department of Internal Affairs, Department of Inland Revenue, Māori Land Court, Te Puni Kōkiri, New Zealand Fire Service, Rotorua District Council, Opōtiki District Council, Whakatāne District Council, Western Bay District Council and Taupo District Council. Where possible, agency involvement was led from teams based in the central region.

The cost of the seminars was shared by some government agencies, a council, two iwi authorities, and two community providers.

Māori methods were used in the delivery of the information, for instance drawing on whānau, hapū, and iwi links between the presenters and the marae. The preferred approach by marae was to meet “kanohi ki te kanohi” (face-to-face).

Wherever possible, the seminars were presented in te reo and effort was made to go between both English and te reo seamlessly without confusing participants. The main emphasis of the seminars was to empower the people of the marae, or the host iwi (when not held on the marae), by “putting them in the drivers seat” – allowing them to lead, as the government staff were visitors to their area.

Seminar facilitators had a very important role. The facilitator had to make the necessary connections to marae on a whānau, hapū and iwi level, and in so doing set the ground rules for engagement. Effective facilitation ensured that a wairua (spirit) Māori was being fostered and that the purpose of the seminar was being maintained throughout. The facilitator also held control of the attention levels of the audience ensuring adequate breaks and time for questions.

• Time for preparation team building
  Regular planning meetings were held with all government agency presenters during the five months prior to the seminars.  This provided time for relationships to develop amongst the agencies, so they could plan the seminars together.   
• Removing cultural barriers
  Conducting the seminars “kanohi ki te kanohi” and in te reo was an important means of removing cultural barriers. This allowed participants to focus directly on the purpose of the seminars.
• Ground rules
  While the focus was on the legislative context affecting marae, the wider context of government-iwi relationships was not overlooked. Clear ground rules, however, were established regarding the purpose of the seminars, and the mandate of the facilitators. For example, it was made clear from the outset that the presenters were not equipped to respond to questions relating to historic grievances that marae may have with the Crown. The marae governors were also made aware that presenters could not respond adequately to questions where professional expertise by lawyers, accountants or financial managers was required.
• Learning opportunities
  The seminars not only provided information to marae governors, they were also a learning opportunity for the government agencies. The seminars provided the opportunity for marae governors to provide feedback to the agencies on what they were doing right, and what could be done better. The agencies also had the opportunity to learn about each others’ priorities, processes, and practices for providing services to marae. This process of sharing information provided the beginnings of a shared vision among the agencies.

* Māori Reservation Regulations 1994; Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993; Māori Reserved Land Act 1955; Trustee Act 1956; Resource Management Act 1991; Income Tax Act 2004; Local Government (Rating) Act 2002; Charities Act 2005; and the Public Finance Act 1989.

Case study uploaded December 2008.