The Iwi Chairs Forum as the name suggests is a hui of Iwi Chairs from across the country. It has been running for approximately 10 years and is a platform for iwi to share information and knowledge in the key areas of cultural, social, economic, environmental and political development.
All iwi chairpersons have an open invitation to become a member of this group and to participate in various working groups through nominating "technical/iwi advisers".
Engagement with the Crown by the Iwi Chairs forum is Rangatira ki te Rangatira, which means that the Chairs of iwi meet directly with Crown Ministers to progress kaupapa.
I have been participating as a representative of Ngati Kahungunu for the past 3-4 years.
Originally, I was a technical adviser to a group that was investigating the allegations of "slave labour" on foreign charter vessels and the impacts on iwi Deepwater Fisheries Settlement.