Mai te Manahautū / From the Chief Executive

Rau rangatira mā, tēnā koutou,
E aku nui, e aku rahi, tēnā hoki koutou,
Otirā tēnā rā tātou katoa.

Ka nui taku hari me taku koa e puta ana tēnei pūrongo ā-tau 2008/2009 hei pānuitanga mā tātou katoa. Kei te hakaaturia atu tēnei pūrongo ā-tau i ngā mahi kua pīkautia e Te Puni Kōkiri ki te whakatutuki i ngā huanga o te Pānui Whāinga 2008.

I am pleased to provide the Annual Report for 2008/09, which details the Te Puni Kōkiri financial and non-financial performance, along with progress towards outcomes identified in the 2008 Statement of Intent.

After the November 2008 general election Te Puni Kōkiri revised its priorities to focus on responding to the expectations and direction of the new government. In so doing, accountability documents were developed to include performance improvement actions centred around value for money initiatives, capping of the public sector and to ensure our services are provided effectively and efficiently.

It was an extremely busy start to 2009 for Te Puni Kōkiri in our role assisting the Government and supporting many national and regional Māori initiatives and events, including the Māori Economic Summit, and the Jobs Summit hosted by the Prime Minister. Improving the delivery of industry and trades training to Māori was a priority that emerged from the summits, as was the Minister’s Māori Economic Taskforce which is tasked with developing initiatives that assist Māori through the recession and to prepare them for the opportunities that will accompany New Zealand’s economic recovery.

There have been many achievements over the past twelve months and these are identified throughout this report. However I would like to mention some special highlights here, particularly

• Our involvement in brokering relationships between Māori and the Crown to resolve historical Treaty of Waitangi issues;
• Creating pathways for Māori to succeed as Māori – supporting events like:
• Te Waka Toi Awards;
• Te Matatini;
• Māori language week;
• 2009 Ahuwhenua Trophy – the pinnacle of excellence and success in Māori farming;
• Honouring the achievements of
  Sir Graham Latimer;
  
• Atamira 2009 Māori in the City;
• The dedication of staff in concluding a long and complex process spanning two decades, that has seen the Māori Trustee become a stand-alone organisation; and
• A successful partnership with Infra-Train the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation – targeting 250 trade training places for Māori.

I am looking forward to working with our Ministers and excited by the opportunities ahead to achieve Māori aspirations.

2008/09 has been challenging but rewarding and I would especially like to acknowledge the leadership and commitment of the senior management team and all staff for their work over the past year. Their support has been greatly appreciated.

Waiho mā te Atua Kaha Rawa tatou katoa e manaaki, e tiaki.

Leith Comer
Chief Executive

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