The trust deed states that the Trustees must, within five years of the Settlement Date, review the terms and operation of the deed — and in particular the arrangements for electing Trustees.  

The Trust Deed Review has followed a phased review process, including engagement through Phase 1 and Phase 2, before moving into Phase 3 for iwi members to consider and vote on the proposed resolutions. 

Secondly, the Trust Deed also requires updating to reflect legislative and compliance changes, including changes arising from the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024(MFAA) which must be completed by Dec 2026 for Maniapoto to remain compliant with the MFAA changes. 

The proposed “Other Changes” fall into three groups: ​

Consistency with Acts​

Aligning the Trust Deed with the Trusts Act 2019, the Māori Fisheries Amendment Act 2024, and the Maniapoto Claims Settlement Act 2022​

Removing obsolete provisions​

Removing references to the establishment period and related matters that are no longer relevant now the Trust is established​

Other updates​

Other general updates, including any items in the Trust Deed that need to be tidied up or amended to make the document more practical and user-friendly. 

The review will take place during the Trust Deed Engagement Roadshow which consists of a series of in-person and live-streamed hui. These hui will be an opportunity for iwi members to share their feedback on the current Trust Deed. 

There is a specific webpage set up with key information including the Te Nehenehenui Trust Deed, the current Governance structure and all the relevant hui dates and locations as they are confirmed. 

A presentation will be delivered within the sessions to enable iwi members to contribute and provide feedback. A survey will also be made available for any further feedback iwi may want to provide throughout the review period. 

Go to the webpage, Here.

The trustees must seek the views of Maniapoto members as part of this process.  

The Trust Deed Engagement Roadshow consists of a series of in-person and live-streamed hui, online webinar and surveys to enable iwi members to have a say and provide feedback during the process. 

This engagement will be an opportunity for Maniapoto to shape how our trustees are elected and how our iwi is represented going forward. 

Keep an eye on our channels. We will share more detail on each proposed change, the phase 1 report, along with hui dates and how you can give us your feedback.​

The focus groups were made up of representatives from each of the advisory groups in the TNN Trust Deed: Te Rōpū Rangatahi, Te Rōpū Kaumatua and Te Rōpū Whakahaere (Whare). We also reached out to people that had experience in deed reviews, iwi trusts and back grounds that could help us strengthen the review process such as individuals that had held key roles throughout the MMTB, Maniapoto Settlement process and the establishment of TNN to get their background knowledge that could help strengthen the process.  

Phase 3 is the final stage of the Trust Deed Review process. In this phase, Te Nehenehenui is sharing the proposed special resolutions with iwi members so whānau can understand the proposed changes, ask questions, and make an informed decision before voting. 

These are both big kaupapa so we didn’t want to risk overloading our whānau. 

There will be several parts to the final vote for the trust deed review as well as the Kura Rere and Kura Tau vote which is a significant pack and we risk overloading our whanau.

It was preferred to complete the elections first and then work through the trust deed vote next to ensure both processes to get the focus they deserve. 

Phase 3 Engagement Hui will begin on 21 September. These hui are part of our commitment to ensuring iwi members have access to the information they need before voting, so whānau can make an informed decision. 

Dates for online hui and hui in Australia will be shared shortly. 

Details about the five resolutions iwi members will be voting on are available on the Trust Deed Review SGM and Special Vote page on our website Trust Deed Review SGM and Special Vote – Te Nehenehenui 

Reports from Phases 1 and 2, prepared by the independent facilitator Chapman Tripp are available here:  

The SGM will allow registered adult members of Maniapoto to cast a final vote during the SGM to be included as well as there will be an opportunity for whanau to vote on Te Awhitu Whanau Maria Marae being included into the Trust Deed. 

This is a requirement of the Trust Deed. The quorum for a Special General Meeting for the purpose of considering a proposal to add or remove a marae is 60 Adult Registered Members. 

The Special General Meeting will be held on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:00am at Te Kūiti Pā, Awakino Road, Te Kūiti. 

We support those who wish to attend the Poukai for Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki and recognise the importance of maintaining manaakitanga, whakapapa connections, and relationships across our rohe. 

Voting will open on Monday 19 October 2026. Votes may be cast by delivery to the Returning Officer in one of three ways:   

1. By ballot box at the Special General Meeting; or   

1. By posting a completed voting paper in the freepost envelope provided. Postal votes must be posted to the Returning Officer with the envelope postmarked on or before Saturday 14 November 2026 and received by the Returning Officer no later than Wednesday 17 November 2026.  

1. Online at www.electionz.com/TNN2026SGM .  Instructions to vote online will be listed on the voting paper or email. Online voting closes at 12 noon on Thursday 12 November 2026.  

Adult registered members of Te Nehenehenui are eligible to vote on the special resolutions. 

Members will be asked to vote on five special resolutions. Four resolutions relate to proposed amendments to the Trust Deed, and one resolution relates to adding Te Awhitu Whānau Maria Marae as a registered marae to Te Nehenehenui, joining Te Whare ki Tuhua Hikurangi. 

No. Attendance at a hui is not required in order to vote for the trust deed review changes. However, you will have to be in person to vote for the resolution to include Te Awhitu Whanau Maria Marae.  Eligible adult registered members can vote using one of the voting methods provided in the voting information. 

Feedback gathered through the Trust Deed Review process helped identify areas where iwi members considered the Deed could be improved. Some of this feedback has informed the proposed changes being put to members, particularly the resolution relating to other changes arising from iwi member feedback. Supporting information, including reports from earlier phases, will help show how the feedback was considered through the review process. 

If one or more of the special resolutions are passed, the approved changes will be made to the Trust Deed and will take effect on a date confirmed by the Trustees. Members will be updated on the outcome and any next steps following the voting process. 

For a special resolution to pass, it must be supported by at least 75% of valid votes cast by eligible adult registered members. Final results will be confirmed once all valid votes have been received and counted in accordance with the voting process. 

The voting process is being managed by an Independent Returning Officer from Elections.com. Votes may be cast through the approved voting methods set out in the voting information. 

Whānau can ask questions by attending a Phase 3 engagement hui, or contacting Te Nehenehenui directly through to patai@tnn.co.nz