Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi – Crown Social Development and Wellbeing Accord
The Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi – Crown Social Development and Wellbeing Accord (the Accord) is part of the Crown redress offered through the Historical Treaty Claims Settlement process, and was signed by Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri , Ngāi Takoto and the Crown at Waitangi in 2013.
The Accord is a strategic agreement between the Iwi and Crown agencies to work together to improve social outcomes for whānau and communities within Te Hiku o Te Ika, where Māori achievement in housing, health and education has consistently lagged behind the rest of the country. These conditions were highlighted in the Te Hiku Social Wellbeing Report 2014.
The Accord represents a departure from the historical ‘service delivery’ approach, which has struggled to address the negative social conditions in the Te Hiku rohe. Rather, the Accord offers a developmental approach, focussed on identifying and creating sustainable solutions incorporating an iwi perspective.
The Accord provides for regular structured engagement between Te Hiku Iwi and the Crown at all levels and represents a milestone in Crown/Iwi relationships. It offers a rare opportunity to align the efforts of multiple government agencies, Iwi, social and public sector providers towards achieving strategic priorities that will advance social wellbeing for Te Hiku iwi members and the community as a whole.
The Accord is administered by the Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi Development Trust, (Trust Deed).