WCT is pleased to announce the latest step in our commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi – He Rau Aroha. He Rau Aroha was launched in the presence of representatives of Mana Whenua, Wellington Community Trust Trustees and staff on 17 November 2020. 

The establishment of He Rau Aroha is an expression of Wellington Community Trust’s commitment to assist and advance Māori aspirations for Mana Whenua and Taura Here in the region. As part of a strategic granting scheme, He Rau Aroha is focussed on supporting Māori-led initiatives that specifically serve & support Mana Whenua, Taura Here, and other Māori groups in the Wellington region. 

Ko tā te puāwaitanga mai o He Rau Aroha he whakaatu i te ruruku o WCT kia āwhina, kia kōkiri anō i ngā wawata o te Mana Whenua me ngā Taura Here o te rohe. Hei wāhanga o tētahi rautaki kōkiri mō te mahi tuku pūtea, kei te aro pū a He Rau Aroha ki te tautoko i ngā kaupapa e taunaki ana i te Mana Whenua, ngā Taura Here me ētahi atu hapori Māori puta noa i te pane o te ika.

As part of WCT’s total commitment, In 2019 Whetū Campbell was appointed as the Trust’s first Kaitakawaenga Māori, and the board committee Te Ohu Manaaki was established – made up of Board members who whakapapa Māori; Together they are overseeing the management and administration to bring He Rau Aroha to fruition.

“WCT is excited by the opportunity to stand alongside Mana Whenua as they develop and implement programmes for Māori that will benefit whole communities in the rohe”

Roger Palairet, WCT Chair