This prestigious organisation continues to retain the confidence of its stakeholders by organising the orderly transfer of power to new trustees using democratic election processes prefaced by non-negotiable standards of experience and qualifications.
The minimum qualifications for nominees for election are (a) seven years of experience in Māori Land governance or administration, or in law, commerce and management, and (b) an NZQA approved tertiary qualification in Māori Land administration or business administration or management.
Behind these minimum qualifications is the trust's rotation policy that both honours the past service of trustees and refreshes governance by attracting new trustees with appropriate experience and learning.
In my view, while public service organisations such as councils operate in a different realm than Māori land management, this rotation policy using mandatory experience and qualifications directly relevant to effective governance, should be applied in the public good.
Especially if contested by current incumbents who, in my view, fail to meet such minimum standards.
Reynold Macpherson
Rotorua
