Waitangi National Trust Board

The Waitangi National Trust Board was established in 1932. Board Members included the Bledisloes, descendents and representatives of people who had signed the Treaty, representatives of the North and South Island people and other prominent New Zealand people. The Board continues to be made up of descendents and representatives of people directly associated with this historic site.

The current Board members are listed below, with their year of appointment.

Ex Officio Members		Governor-General Prime Minister Minister of Conservation Minister of Maori Affairs
(i) A member of the family of the late Archdeacon Henry Williams		Mr Jeremy Williams (1990)
(ii) A member chosen from the Hone Heke and Maihi Kawiti and Tamiti Waka Nene and Pomare families		Mr Pita Paraone (1997) Kawiti
(iii) A representative of the Maori People living in the North Auckland Peninsula		Mr Erima Henare (2007)
(iv) A representative of the Maori People living in the North Island south of the city of Auckland		Mr Tumu Te Heuheu (1996)
(v) A representative of the Pakeha residents of the Bay of Islands		Mrs Eila Searles (1992)
(vi) A representative of the People, Pakeha and Maori living in the South Island		Mrs Penny Hutchins (1992)
(vii) A representative of the family of the late Edward Gibbon Wakefield		Mr Ian Torlesse (1981)
(viii) A person prominent in the life of the country as a statesman, historian, archaeologist, natural historian, or otherwise		Dame Dr Joan Metge (1996)
Waitangi National Trust Board Amendment Act 1959 Representative of the late James Busby		Mr David Jefferd (2006)

As kaitiaki (guardians) the Waitangi National Trust Board takes reponsibility to:

Maintain the Waitangi National Trust estate and its taonga as a place of belonging, a Turangawaewae, for all New Zealanders
Oversee the sustainable development of the land and assets of the Trust through appropriate maintenance, conservation and management
Preserve, protect and present taonga (treasures) in the Trust's care
Further understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, its significance as the nation's founding document and its continuing relevance to our life as a nation
Develop and apply its own tikanga (culture) governing access to and use of the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Whare Runanga (meeting house) and its marae, and Ngatokimatawhaorua , the ceremonial canoe
Ensure the Waitangi National Trust estate is used appropriately to commemorate the first signing of the Treaty

The values that underpin our work

The Waitangi Trust Board, through its internal and external relationships, will support the two partners of the Treaty working together through interactions that are:

Honest: operating through an understanding of good faith in all dealings
Responsive: to stakeholders' needs
Reliable: by using sound process
Respectful: of all cultures, acknowledging the two Treaty partners
Informative: by providing information that is relevant and historically accurate
Constructive: in providing a forum for positive debate about the Treaty
Ethical: operating in accordance with established standards and current legislation

Context

The work of the Waitangi National Trust Board is influenced by:

The Waitangi National Trust Board Act 1932: this governs the administration of the Trust estate as a place of historic interest, recreational enjoyment and benefit in perpetuity to the inhabitants of New Zealand.
The general powers of the board as contained in Section 15 of the Act.
The Waitangi Endowment Act, 1932-33: this set aside 1300 acres as a source of revenue for the trust and as a scenic backdrop to the estate.
Public expectations as to the significance of the Trust estate: that the Trust estate will meet a range of national, regional and local needs and contribute to the development of contemporary New Zealand.
It was Lord and Lady Bledisloe's vision that the estate should be self sufficient so that its administration and management was not a burden on the taxpayer.
Currently revenue is derived from rentals from lessees and licence holders, sponsorship for specific projects, entrance fees to the historic precinct, intermittent royalties from the Waitangi Endowment forest, and the sale of items through the Visitors Centre.
The Trust operates as a charitable trust and is exempt from taxation expenses. All money received by the board is applied in managing, administering and improving trust property. No honoraria are paid to Board Members. All land vested in the board is exempt from taxation and rates.
The need for a sound business focus: this involves increasing both the range of income streams and the revenue from current activities so that the management and future development of the Trust estate are financially viable.
The need to recognise increased opportunities to provide venues and events to celebrate nationhood.
The need to attract, understand and prepare for increased visitor numbers.
The need for diligence in security.
Recognition of the changing demographics of visitors and patterns of visitor use.
The need to preserve, maintain and enhance the natural and historical resources and taonga on the Trust estate.
Increased demand for a range of educational programmes that develop an appreciation and understanding of New Zealand's historic, cultural and national heritage.
Government interest in culture and heritage and the part Waitangi can play in developing a sense of nationhood.
The need to consider how best to utilise the whole estate. This could include maintaining and /or developing appropriate roads, forests, tracks and attractions outside the historic precinct.
Opportunities to develop a range of beneficial partnerships and relationships to help the Trust Board achieve the vision of Lord and Lady Bledisloe.