Latest news with #PaoraAmmunson
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Iwi Hosts Meeting With Multiple Crown Agencies For New Strategy
Press Release – Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki-nui-a-Rua The inaugural hui was a formal discussion to begin to realise the opportunities of He Kawenata Hu, a commitment included in the iwis Treaty settlement legislation, Settlement Trust Chair Paora Ammunson says. Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Settlement Trust has met with senior officials from 12 Crown agencies to begin the development of a new strategy to transform social and economic outcomes for whānau. Crown representatives travelled to Masterton to meet with the iwi on Wednesday 9 July, including from: Health NZ; the Ministries of Education, Social Development, Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), Justice, Housing and Urban Development; Oranga Tamariki; NZ Police; Department of Corrections; Te Puni Kōkiri; Social Investment Agency; and Ministry for Primary Industries. Settlement Trust Chair, Paora Ammunson, said the inaugural hui was a formal discussion to begin to realise the opportunities of 'He Kawenata Hōu', a commitment included in the iwi's Treaty settlement legislation. 'Our settlement was signed back in 2021 and included a new covenant – He Kawenata Hōu – as the platform for us to build a new Tiriti relationship between Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua and the Crown,' said Mr Ammunson. 'Having these senior government officials all come to us here in Masterton, signifies the unique and ongoing nature of He Kawenata Hōu. 'We are talking about a foundational strategy for the social and economic revitalisation of our iwi. Crucially, we must plan how to address the severe inequities that our whānau are facing.' Mr Ammunson said that the development of the strategy was an important opportunity for the Crown and its responsible agencies to demonstrate their commitment to authentic Treaty Partnership. 'Our iwi is committed to making this mahi our priority focus, and as our Treaty partner, we expect the Crown to do the same. 'Discussions with these agencies so far have been positive and supportive of our hapū-led approach.' Settlement Trust Group Chief Executive, Ray Hall, said yesterday's inaugural meeting in Masterton was a significant step for all parties. 'We are encouraged by the shared willingness to explore practical initiatives that will start to make a real difference for whānau who are facing serious deprivation in our communities,' Mr Hall said. 'Our goal is to enable our whānau to thrive in their daily lives, across all areas of hauora including health, education, employment, income, housing and cultural connection.' Mr Hall said that the overarching strategy is expected to be developed over the coming months and finalised later this year. Notes: Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua are mana whenua iwi of the Wairarapa and Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua (Dannevirke) regions. Their rohe (tribal area) extends from Turakirae in the south, to the headwaters of the Manawatū Awa in the Ruahine Ranges in the North, to Poroporo at Cape Turnagain on the eastern coast. Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Settlement Trust is the Post-Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) responsible for receiving and administering settlement assets on behalf of the iwi.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Iwi Invest To Build New Masterton Medical Centre
Press Release – Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki-nui-a-Rua The new centre will house all services already available to patients including the pharmacy, health coach and health improvement practitioner. Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua has confirmed its purchase of the old Masterton Hospital site and an agreement with Masterton Medical to build a new medical centre. The healthcare facility will be adjacent to Masterton Medical's current premises, behind Wairarapa Hospital on Te Ore Ore Road in Masterton. Settlement Trust Chair, Paora Ammunson, said the deal has been a long time coming. 'I want to acknowledge our investment team, led by Andrew Watters, who have been working on this purchase for quite some time. 'We're thrilled to now confirm our investment, which will help to uplift the Wairarapa region,' he said. 'Our commercial partnership with Masterton Medical is a build-to-rent agreement, and we will work together to ensure the new building is welcoming to all, fit for purpose and cost-effective.' Trustee and Te Ore Ore Marae hapū karanga representative, Huria Robens, acknowledged the crucial role that mana whenua will play as kaitiaki of the site. 'We will involve mana whenua on appropriate tikanga at each stage of the build,' she said. Masterton Medical is one of the largest medical centres of its kind in New Zealand and has been living in temporary premises since 2014 following a fire at its Lincoln Road base. 'We are so excited to finally be planning our new building,' Masterton Medical General Manager, Robyn Wilson, said. 'It will be purpose-built to facilitate our model of healthcare, which is driven by patient flow and continuity of care.' The new centre will house all services already available to patients including the pharmacy, health coach and health improvement practitioner. Investment Trust Chair, Andrew Watters, confirmed the iwi purchased the 8.7 hectare site from the Crown, and said the medical centre will occupy about one hectare. 'We will be working through how to develop the balance of the land over the coming years,' he said. 'Our decisions are made with careful consideration for the long-term, and all future development will require strong business cases, a solid plan, and tenants that fit within our investment policy, like we have achieved with Masterton Medical.' Wairarapa-based Concept Construction is the lead contractor for the project, and local developer David Borman is providing expertise. The Investment Trust says it will determine further procurement based on supplier diversity and values-alignment. Masterton Medical Board Chairman, Bob Francis, said the partnership with Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua is a great outcome for both parties. 'We are really excited to firm up a new and permanent home and to do so with local iwi is a tremendous outcome for us all,' Mr Francis said. The timeline for construction of the new medical centre is currently being finalised.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Iwi Invest To Build New Masterton Medical Centre
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua has confirmed its purchase of the old Masterton Hospital site and an agreement with Masterton Medical to build a new medical centre. The healthcare facility will be adjacent to Masterton Medical's current premises, behind Wairarapa Hospital on Te Ore Ore Road in Masterton. Settlement Trust Chair, Paora Ammunson, said the deal has been a long time coming. 'I want to acknowledge our investment team, led by Andrew Watters, who have been working on this purchase for quite some time. 'We're thrilled to now confirm our investment, which will help to uplift the Wairarapa region,' he said. 'Our commercial partnership with Masterton Medical is a build-to-rent agreement, and we will work together to ensure the new building is welcoming to all, fit for purpose and cost-effective.' Trustee and Te Ore Ore Marae hapū karanga representative, Huria Robens, acknowledged the crucial role that mana whenua will play as kaitiaki of the site. 'We will involve mana whenua on appropriate tikanga at each stage of the build,' she said. Masterton Medical is one of the largest medical centres of its kind in New Zealand and has been living in temporary premises since 2014 following a fire at its Lincoln Road base. 'We are so excited to finally be planning our new building,' Masterton Medical General Manager, Robyn Wilson, said. 'It will be purpose-built to facilitate our model of healthcare, which is driven by patient flow and continuity of care.' The new centre will house all services already available to patients including the pharmacy, health coach and health improvement practitioner. Investment Trust Chair, Andrew Watters, confirmed the iwi purchased the 8.7 hectare site from the Crown, and said the medical centre will occupy about one hectare. 'We will be working through how to develop the balance of the land over the coming years,' he said. 'Our decisions are made with careful consideration for the long-term, and all future development will require strong business cases, a solid plan, and tenants that fit within our investment policy, like we have achieved with Masterton Medical.' Wairarapa-based Concept Construction is the lead contractor for the project, and local developer David Borman is providing expertise. The Investment Trust says it will determine further procurement based on supplier diversity and values-alignment. Masterton Medical Board Chairman, Bob Francis, said the partnership with Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua is a great outcome for both parties. 'We are really excited to firm up a new and permanent home and to do so with local iwi is a tremendous outcome for us all,' Mr Francis said. The timeline for construction of the new medical centre is currently being finalised.
