The Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust is founded on its 11 Hapū Communities. This applies particularly in the case of trustee elections and financial distributions to hapū communities.
Trustee Elections Each of the 11 Hapū Communities elect a trustee to NST and TRONIT in accordance with the process set out in the Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Trust Deed. The election rules prescribe that for the purpose of voting, a member must register their Hapū Community of ‘first preference’ and can only vote in the election of a trustee for that Hapū Community.
A rotation policy ensures that Trustees are up for election every 3 years. Once elected, the trustees are responsible for the administration of the Trust’s assets for the benefit of the present and future members of Ngāi Te Rangi.
Financial Distributions Each of the 11 Hapū Communities set up a trust to receive distributions from NST, amongst other things. Those trusts each receive a share of an initial $2 million fund that has been set aside for hapū community development.
From 2017, Hapū Trusts (on behalf of the Hapū Community) will receive a share of 40% of the annual available income of NST. The value of the payments to each Hapū Trust will be determined by the number of adult registered members of the Hapū Community as a percentage of the total number of adult registered members of Ngāi Te Rangi.
