Tēnā kotou,

Moriori Imi, through Hokotehi Moriori Trust (HMT) have been negotiating with the Crown in relation to the settlement of Moriori historic claims. With the signing of an Agreement in Principle (AIP) in August 2017, Moriori can now establish its own Post Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE). Our members now have the opportunity to vote on a number of resolutions (see below).

A PSGE is needed in order to receive any agreed settlement redress and to represent our imi after the historic Treaty of Waitangi claims have been settled. The proposed name for the settlement trust is: Moriori Imi Settlement Trust (MIST).

Resolutions:

The Resolutions that adult members (ie aged 18 and over) are being asked to consider and vote on are:

Resolution 1: I, as a member of Moriori Imi, accept Moriori Imi Settlement Trust as the proposed Post Settlement Governance Entity to receive and manage the Treaty of Waitangi settlement redress on behalf of Moriori.

Resolution 2: I, as a member of Moriori Imi, accept Moriori Imi Settlement Trust receives a payment of $3.6 million from the Crown on-account of the Treaty settlement.

Resolution 3: I, as a member of Moriori Imi, accept Moriori Imi Settlement Trust will be mandated to negotiate the Deed of Settlement on behalf of Moriori Imi with the Crown instead of HMT

Explanatory Notes:

• On-Account Funds: The ratification process contains terminology that may require further explanation. Please attend the hui nearest you if you have questions or contact the office. In terms of resolution 2 it may help to explain further what the term “on account” means. This sum is a 20% down-payment of the figure of $18 million as agreed by your negotiators and the Crown in the AIP signed in August 2017. The balance of the $18 million will be paid upon completion of the settlement. If, for any reason, the settlement did not proceed to completion, the on account payment is not refundable. The $3.6 million will be used by MIST for investment purposes and/or reduction of debt.
• Change from HMT to MIST: The reason for changing the mandate from HMT to MIST is that MIST would be the most appropriate body to negotiate the final Deed of Settlement with the Crown as any settlement redress would go to it. The initial trustees of MIST are all trustees of HMT, and four of them are Treaty settlement negotiators. This ensures continuity as the negotiations are finalised and the settlement package agreed. HMT will still be fully consulted on all aspects of the settlement processes and imi will have the opportunity to ratify the Deed of Settlement before it is signed. The proposed change does not diminish the fact that this settlement is on behalf of and for the benefit of all Moriori.

The Voting Process:

The vote is being conducted by the independent returning officer, Dale Ofsoske, Election Services. Members will be able to vote either by return mail or on-line using a unique access code. The link to vote on-line is available here now : www.voteonline.co.nz/mist. Voting will not be carried out at the hui, which are for information purposes only. If you have not received your voting pack by August 15 please urgently contact the office – it may mean your postal address is out of date.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

There are two ways to vote. You may only use one method:

• Fill in your voting form following all instructions, ticking your preferred options and post to the returning officer in the envelope provided
• Vote online using your unique member identifier and password which are on the reverse of your voting form. Go to www.voteonline.co.nz/mist and follow the online instructions.

Remember, voting closes Saturday 15 September 2018, 5pm NZ Time.

If you have any queries, contact the Returning Officer on 0800 922 822

Ratification and Information Hui:

From August 15 - September 5 your Treaty settlement negotiators will be travelling around New Zealand and Rēkohu/Rangihaute to hold information hui regarding the Post Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) ratification. The resolutions that members will be asked to vote on are explained in a booklet that is being mailed to all HMT members, and which will be at all the hui and can also be downloaded here. The Deed for the PSGE (MIST) will also be in the member mailout and can be read here.

Details of the ratification information hui dates and venues are set out below: