E te iwi o Waikato-Tainui, nei raa te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa.

In early April, we launched our Facebook page – "Ko Waikato Te Awa, Ko Waikato Te Iwi”. The site is proving very popular and we have been particularly pleased with the responses to the wide variety of stories being posted. There is something there for everyone - historical accounts, the health and wellbeing of our Tupuna Awa, profiles, media releases or paanui about events coming up. So please don’t forget to share our FB page with others. When we hit the ‘1000’ mark, we will celebrate this milestone by randomly choosing ten people to receive a Waikato-Tainui prize of their choice.

Over the past 18 months, a considerable amount of work has gone into the development of the tribe’s
Iwi Environmental Management Plan. The Plan is the culmination of several guiding documents on
resource management. It has been written from a Waikato-Tainui perspective drawing from our
people’s own experiences. The value of the Plan will be how it is applied to enhance the tribe’s
participation in resource and environment management as well as contribute to this new era of
co-management ushered in through the Waikato River Settlement. The team – led by Tim Manukau
- have undertaken significant engagement with our people and this will continue over the next
month with a workshop with Te Kauhanganui members. The Plan will also be bilingual and will
be launched later this year. As we get closer to the date, more detail will follow.

Te Tira Hoe o Waikato was held over the Easter weekend break and was thoroughly enjoyed by all
those who attended. The noho with Ngaati Tahu Ngaati Whaoa and paddling the upper river with the
hau kainga was a particular highlight. Check out the pictures on our Facebook page. In the next
edition of Te Hookioi there will be a special account from the Chair of Te Arataura, Tom Roa who
took on the challenge. Likewise, the Waikato-Tainui Tri-Maaori Sprint Event was held at Karapiro
and again it was another successful event. It is pleasing to see so many of our whaanau participating in these initiatives.
Ngaa mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Finally, as I write this piece it is with great sadness that Maaoridom is mourning the passing of the
Hon Parekura Horomia. Parekura was a big man with an even bigger heart. I was privileged to work for
him when he was the Minister of Maaori Affairs and saw first-hand his commitment to our people. He
was never one to shirk his responsibilities and was instrumental in shaping the careers of many
Maaori in leadership roles today. As both Minister of Maaori Affairs and whilst in Opposition, Parekura
was always supportive of Waikato-Tainui efforts to settle our raupatu claims. He was also a loyal
supporter of the Kiingitanga, never missing the annual Koroneihana celebrations.
E te Rangatira, moe mai ra i roto i te rangimarie.

Ngaa manaakitanga
Parekawhia McLean
Chief Executive