Mayor Stoltz says the summit is a collaborative initiative that will focus on the region’s aspirations, challenges and opportunities so that new approaches and solutions can be adopted to address economic and social issues that have long impacted the region.
“We have been through so much as a region, and not only last year’s two cyclones and six other severe weather events.”
The summit is a “fresh approach” to bring together expertise from all corners to look at the region’s problems from different angles and come up with future-focused solutions in partnership with the new Government, she says
“The Government, right from day one, has walked alongside us,” said Mayor Stoltz, who has met with several ministers since the formation of the coalition.
“The Government want to work with us because if we have thriving regions, we have a thriving New Zealand.”
She hopes the summit will lead to a future strategy.
“We see opportunity in our challenges. 2023 has been extremely tough for every single person in the region and I know that this is going to be our year, and I we want to face this with a positive, future-focused approach.
“Our region is an ideal area for central government to build partnerships which are focused on piloting new solutions and programmes, and this is a key discussion we will be having with Government ministers.
“The Tairāwhiti Tomorrow Together Summit shows a genuine desire to work together collaboratively to address the challenges.
“The right central government interventions will have a substantial impact on lifting our region’s prosperity for the benefit of all those who live here.
“The hui will focus on the many opportunities and challenges that the region faces — acknowledging the socio-economic challenges in health, education, crime, employment, and the lack of quality housing.
“We should also not forget that as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most remote regions, we are significantly impacted by catastrophic weather events which severely impact our local industries."
Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou chair Patrick Tangaere says the region’s four strong and capable iwi — Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga A Māhaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri — have a track record of working together to develop innovative solutions.
Tairāwhiti is home to more people of Māori ethnicity than any other region.
In 2018, nearly 53 percent of the population identified as Māori, far above the national average of 16.5 percent.
“Tairāwhiti communities are strong, and resilient and our people proud,” Mr Tangaere says,
“There is a clear understanding of the challenges and priorities, and iwi have been working closely with council, community, and business leaders to tackle the issues in an approach that is whanaungtanga-based and manaakitanga-driven.
“Our approach to lifting the wellbeing of our people has always been about developing enablers from which sustainable and meaningful activity can grow.
“This focus will be extended through the summit and the resulting plan.
“We have shown time and again that Tairāwhiti is at its best when it is united and working together,” Mr Tangaere says.
“Key ministerial involvement in the summit shows central government’s desire and goodwill to work closely with our leaders for the people of Tairāwhiti."
