Merger a 'threat to identity'

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said the business case put forward was "not compelling". Photo / File

Some high-profile Maori say there will be a loss of identity and culture at Waiariki Institute of Technology if a proposed merger with Bay of Plenty Polytechnic goes ahead and are questioning whether iwi have been properly consulted.

The potential merger between the Rotorua and the Tauranga institutes was widely criticised on Wednesday during a meeting organised by community group Keep Waiariki Local.

But Waiariki officials say they have done all they can to consult iwi and the community, and that the business case follows the Government's "better business case" template.

Rotorua Lakes councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said the business case put forward was "not compelling".

Mrs Raukawa-Tait said that iwi and the community have had a say about the future of the institute since it first opened in 1978.

"Its identity, I believe, is at stake because the culture of the two organisations are entirely different," she said. "And I don't want us to put our hand up to be the B Team.

"I also think they have not done a compelling economic impact assessment. Also a cultural-impact assessment. Those are two things should have gone hand-in-hand.

"I find the communication process has been poor ... and I think the students will be the poorer for it."

Keep Waiariki Local organiser Haydn Marriner also questioned whether iwi were consulted.

"It doesn't mention in [the business case] that any iwi stakeholders were consulted. It doesn't name anybody that has actually been consulted."

Te Arawa kuia Katerina Daniels shared her views as tangata whenua.

She said: "It's the community that is talking, but where's the answers coming from?

"Where Waiariki is sitting on is on Maori land.

"We're from Te Arawa, and they're from Tauranga Moana. They wouldn't like that happening to them. We're locals. Please, we have to do something for our kids," she said.

Waiariki Council chairman Graeme Nahkies said the business case was "quite formal and may not inspire a general audience however, we do believe that it outlines some very exciting opportunities for the region. Just because something appears to work, doesn't mean there isn't an even better, more innovative and effective way of doing it," he said.

"Waiariki has a strong identity in this merger proposal. We are proud of our culture and our achievements and will carry forward those elements that serve us well, just as BOPP staff and students will do, so that in the end we build on the strengths of both for the benefit of the entire region."

Mr Nahkies said a wide range of consultation had been undertaken by a range of methods including breakfast meetings, hui, one to one discussions, media releases, information on the website, staff and student meetings and meeting with business leaders.

"A number of iwi consultation activities have been held, including a hui on May 19, to which all iwi and hapu throughout the region were invited," he said. "Unfortunately, only a limited number of representatives chose to accept this invitation.

"Throughout the last seven months we have had an open door and have met all who have requested to meet and will continue to do so," Mr Nahkies said.