Bearing in mind that the bulk of their membership are maori, I think it's great that they've taken the iniative to become an Urban Maori Authority (UMA) known as: "Te Runanga A Iwi O Te Oranga Ake" (TRAIOTOA).
Tho TRAIOTOA is the new kid on the block, it is interesting to note that other long established UMA's have challenged all the way to the Privy Council to be recognised as an Iwi. Just to refresh your memory, the purpose of their appeal was so that they might receive some of the presettlement maori fisheries assets awarded to iwi as compensation to & for Treaty of Waitangi Claims. Regretfully their application was dismissed (see 1 below).
Nevertheless TRAIOTOA if they haven't already? Are placing themselves in a position where they're able to access govt funding for social, health & other related issues that affect maori & others within their community.
Having seen the fruits of their labours I'm confident that they will do a great job with the monies that they'll (if they haven't already?) eventually receive.
God bless them,
Patu
1. More info here: www. bellgully.co.nz/resources/resource.00263.asp
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