Whai Rawa, Ngāi Tahu
Whai Rawa68 is an example of a parallel Māori
institution with autonomy.69 Whai Rawa parallels
the role of the commercial banking sector.
Whai Rawa is a medium to long-term savings
and investment scheme set up by Te Rūnanga
o Ngāi Tahu in 2006. This scheme is iwi-driven
for whānau members. The aim is to encourage
savings for identified purposes, including home
ownership, and that home may be beyond the
Ngāi Tahu takiwā. In 2022, $123 million was in
managed funds, 31,500 members were part of
the scheme with $20 million withdrawn towards
home ownership (or other objectives). The scheme
operates through matched savings, investments
are transparent, and the matched savings can be
put towards ownership of new or existing homes
(or other objectives). In addition to distributing
funds annually, the scheme aims to increase
financial literacy through a children’s club, Kaitiaki,
which provides guides and other educational
material. A fundamental aspect of Whai Rawa is to
enable all members to have access to the scheme.
Opportunities and initiatives available to registered
Ngāi Tahu whānau are outlined on the Ngāi
Tahu website.70 Other scheme initiatives include
opportunities for whānau, including business startups.
Accountability for this scheme is understood
as to the whole organisation of Ngāi Tahu and
acknowledged in all outcomes, being always an
active process. Accountability is built into the
Whai Rawa scheme through its Statement of
Corporate Intent, Ngāi Tahu being fully licensed
to provide this service for members. As an
example, monitoring takes place in reviewing those
members of the scheme against those with active
accounts. Accountability is understood as tikanga,
taking appropriate action, and is acknowledged
in all outcomes. Accountability also extends to
values that Ngāi Tahu upholds – whanaungatanga,
manaakitanga, tohungatanga, rangatiratanga and
kaitiakitanga.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa also has a Toi
Tupu savings and investment programme.71
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