Category Archives: Recent Posts

RE: Unresolved Complaints/Disputes : Kahukuraariki Trust Board from Geraldine Baker (GM) and my response

From: graham.williams@wairuakiwi.com
Sent: Monday, 17 August 2026 1:25 pm
To: ‘Geraldine Baker’ <geraldine.baker@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>; Trustees
Cc: Toko Kapea <T.Kapea@tuiagroup.com>; contactus@tearawhiti.govt.nz; Poppleton, Alexandra <Alexandra.Poppleton@tearawhiti.govt.nz>; P.Goldsmith@ministers.govt.nz; T.Potaka@ministers.govt.nz; N.McKee@ministers.govt.nz; W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
Subject: RE: Unresolved Complaints/Disputes : Kahukuraariki Trust Board
Importance: High

Kia ora Trustees,

That’s fantastic, after more than 4 years an official response from your GM to confirm you’ve received all of my complaints/disputes. No complaints/disputes reference numbers, just a blanket we officially confirm receiving all of your complaints/disputes, very professional.

So, now that my complaints/disputes are all confirmed,  when can I expect the formal Disputes Process to begin as per the Trust Deed? Since it’s been slightly longer than the required 30 days as per clause 31.3 of the Trust Deed, when can I expect the Disputes Committee to be formed including “One (1) Independent (non-Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa) member nominated by the President from time to time of the Auckland District Law Society or his or her nominee, such member to be a barrister or solicitor with seven (7) or more years experience, to act as the chair of the Disputes Committee” to resolve the following unresolved complaints/disputes?

My unresolved complaints/disputes:

  1. Denied Access to SGM and AGM 2022 – Ms Baker has confirmed that the online SGM and AGM were only available to enable registered members an opportunity to participate and/or view both hui in real time. This of cause means that non-register members were excluded, which in itself is a breach of the KTB Trust Deed Clause 33 to provide an open, transparent, and fair process to all members of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa. I registered online for the hui but my access was cancelled a few minutes into the SGM.
  2. Denied a full copy of the zoom recordings of the SGM and AGM that I was excluded from held on 18th June 2022. I understand that the webinar was outsourced to a third party who specialises in these types of online events, and that the quality of the recording was not very good and it did not capture all of the meeting. Can you please provide me with the contact details and authority of the communications consulting service you engaged, so I can arrange for a copy of the hui zoom recording?
  3. Denied a copy of all of the SGM and hui documentation including agenda, advertisements, minutes, and attendance register for the SGM and hui held in relation to Clause 33.2 of the Trust Deed both prior and post the 2022 SGM to ratify the resolution. As detailed in Toko’s summary report “Schedule 2, Point C – During the consultation process and at a Special General Meeting (SGM) called to discuss Stony Creek Station”. This is not available on the Trust’s website. In fact, I’m not sure your GM understands exactly what SGM I’m asking about, as I don’t believe she has a detailed understanding of your Trust Deed , specifically Clause 33.2.
  4. Denied a copy of Toko Kapea’s (Independent Facilitator and Trust Lawyer) full report relating to the Resolution 1 and Resolution 2 engagements, consultation, and meetings: including agenda, advertisements, minutes, and attendance registers. This is not available on the Trust’s website. Clause 33 specifically states that the process is open, transparent, and is a fair process to all members of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa. Toko Kapea’s summary report that was provided fell well short, providing little to no detail.
  5. Denied Member/Beneficiary status by Geraldine Baker (with a Lawyer letter stating I must be registered to be a beneficiary) as a reason to deny my requests for information – A beneficiary as defined in the Trust Deed is any member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa, it does not stipulate that a person must be a registered member. That the Trust lacks a process for members of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa to be verified independent of registering as a member of the KTB, is a flaw in their operational processes. Geraldine Baker referred both myself and my lawyer to the Trusts lawyer, but no response has been received.

Since the Trust has denied me access to information, my contention is that Clause 33 was not executed as per the Trust Deed, and as such any and all resolutions passed in relation to the OWNERSHIP OF STONY CREEK STATION are void.

I hope that the Disputes Committee will be formed and my complaints/disputes resolved before the next SGM and AGM, however based on past experience this is highly unlikely. Additionally, as per Geraldine’s comments below, I certainly don’t require an apology, and there’s been no trauma or mamae cause by the Trust’s delays. I’m simply asking the Trust to do their job as per the Trust Deed, which is to execute openly, transparently, and fairly the conditions/requirements of the Trust Deed, to date this has not happened.

Kind regards, Graham

Non-registered member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa

From: Geraldine Baker <geraldine.baker@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>
Sent: Monday, 17 August 2026 11:24 am
To: graham.williams@wairuakiwi.com; Trustees
Cc: contactus@tearawhiti.govt.nz; Poppleton, Alexandra <Alexandra.Poppleton@tearawhiti.govt.nz>; P.Goldsmith@ministers.govt.nz; T.Potaka@ministers.govt.nz; N.McKee@ministers.govt.nz; W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
Subject: RE: Complaint/Dispute : Kahukuraariki Trust Board – Trust Act 2019 – Beneficiary rights
Importance: High

Morena Graham,

Please accept this email as an official confirmation of your complaint(s), both answered and unanswered, to the Kahukuraariki Trust Board.

The Trusts Business Administrator, General Manager, and Chairman have all attempted to provide you with responses to your enquiries and requests many times over the years in our attempts to ameliorate and resolve your mamae.

We do not refuse anyone’s participation at Trust Board Special General Meetings (SGM) or Annual General Meetings (AGM). However, for online events it is generally accepted that persons attending register in advance. I wholeheartedly apologise for the trauma this process has caused you.

The Board are hoping to hold the Trusts SGM and AGM this year in either October or November (depending on other organisational factors).

Given the lack of demand and attendance at previous online SGM/AGM (a peak of 2 persons for 30 minutes), we will not be holding any more online hui in the near future.

Given your keenness to attend/participate, I will personally send you an invite as soon as the date has been set.

Hopefully, this time we can look forward to greeting a whanaunga and meeting you in person.

Nga mihi, 

Geraldine Baker

Ngapuhi (Ngati Kura, Ngati Torehina, Ngati Miru, Ngati Rehia), Ngati Toa Rangatira, Moriori
Kaiwhakahaere Matua

Geraldine.Baker@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz  
Waea Pukoro: 021  1667677

Kahukuraariki Trust Board www.kahukuraariki.iwi.nz

Kahukuraariki Trust – Performance Review – Fail

The Kahukuraariki Trust Board’s primary responsibility is to manage the settlement assets for its present and future beneficiaries.

The Kahukuraariki Trust have made serious losses over the past 5 years with little to no benefits passed on to it’s members:

  • 2021 – a loss of $380,000, due to excessive operational expenses of $800,000
  • 2022 – a loss of $630,000, due to excessive operational expenses of $929,000
  • 2023 – a loss of $570,000, due to excessive operational expenses of $1,200,000
  • 2024 – a loss of $187,000, due to excessive operational expenses of $1,000,000
  • 2025 – a loss of $55,000, due to excessive operational expenses of $1,000,000

A total loss of $1,822,000 over the past 5 years.

The Kahukuraariki Trust’s Milford Investment portfolio 5 years ago was $6.9 million, however its diminished to $5.3 million in 2025. The primary reason for these losses based on reviewing their published accounts over the past 5 years, is their continued excessive Administration and Operational costs.

What does the Trust intend to do about reversing these excessive Administration and Operational costs?

Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2025 – Brief Review

From: graham.williams@wairuakiwi.com
Sent: Thursday, 18 September 2025 7:30 pm
To: Ripikoi JJ <jj@farnorth.me>
Cc: ‘April Hetaraka’ <ahetaraka@gmail.com>; ‘Hinepotaurangi Jean Joseph’ <jjhinepotaurangi@gmail.com>; ‘Roger Kingi’ <rateakingi@xtra.co.nz>; ‘Norm Mckenzie’ <norm.mckenzie@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>; ‘Ana Hotere’ <anahotere@gmail.com>; ‘Waitangi Wood’ <tauihoitepotrust@gmail.com>; ‘Roger Kingi’ <roger.kingi@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>; ‘Missy Rivers’ <missrivers68@gmail.com>; ‘Wilfred Peterson’ <wilfred-gina@xtra.co.nz>; ‘Annwyn Buchanan’ <cramond8@yahoo.co.nz>; ‘contactus@tearawhiti.govt.nz’ <contactus@tearawhiti.govt.nz>; ‘jevontracey@xtra.co.nz’ <jevontracey@xtra.co.nz>; ‘Marie Williams’ <marie.williams@xtra.co.nz>; ‘Edwin Emery’ <edwin.emery@gmail.com>; ‘Ronda Williams’ <rjwilliams679799@gmail.com>; ‘P.Goldsmith@ministers.govt.nz’ <P.Goldsmith@ministers.govt.nz>; ‘T.Potaka@ministers.govt.nz’ <T.Potaka@ministers.govt.nz>; ‘N.McKee@ministers.govt.nz’ <N.McKee@ministers.govt.nz>; ‘W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz’ <W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz>; ‘Janice Smith’ <janice@reretahiconsultancy.co.nz>; ‘Nicole O’Brien’ <Nicoleandjoepaultaemaro@gmail.com>; ‘Teresa Tepania-Ashton’ <teresa.tepania-ashton@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>; Topaz Thomas <topaztyethomas@outlook.com>; contactus@tearawhiti.govt.nz
Subject: RE: Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2025 – Brief Review
Importance: High

Kia ora JJ,

I’ve just finished reviewing your yet to be approved Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2025 and Financial Statements, and it’s good to see that you’ve only lost $55k this year but also concerning to see that you have a huge dependence on the Crown (NROP – $505,000, Te Arawhiti – $75k, and Grants – $92k). If you hadn’t received these hand-outs, it would have been dire.

It’s great to see the Milford Investment portfolio performance in 2025 resulting in a net profit of approximately $335k, according to your Financial Statements, however the Milford Investment portfolio balance dropped from $5.5m in 2024 to $5.3m in 2025 due to withdrawals to cover your excessive administration and operational expenses. Your investment strategies over the past 5 years have failed to provide enough revenue to cover your operational expenses hence your losses.

As the Trust’s primary responsibility is to manage the settlement assets for its present and future beneficiaries, I’m concerned over the serious losses incurred over the past 5 years; 2021 – $380,000, 2022 – $630,000, 2023 – $570,000, 2024 – $187,000, and now in 2025 – $55,000, a total loss of $1,822,000. With the exceptional Milford Investment portfolio gains in 2020 of $1.5 million now fully extinguished. The Milford Investment portfolio 5 years ago was $6.9 million, however its diminished to $5.3 million in 2025. The primary reason for these losses based on reviewing your accounts over the past 5 years, is your continued excessive Administration and Operational costs; in 2023 – $1.2 million, 2024 – $1 million, and yet again in 2025 – $1 million. What does the Trust intend to do about reversing these excessive Administration and Operational costs?

I’ll leave others to comment on the inaccurate 2024 AGM Minutes, as yet again I was denied the opportunity to attend and speak as a non-registered member. I would however like to caution you about your intent to extinguish the rights of all non-registered members of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa from your Trust Deed, in particular changes to Clause 12 and the removal of Clause 33, both of which were intentionally afforded to all Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa members registered or not by the Crown.

Could you please ensure that this email is tabled at your 2025 AGM as a matter of record?

Nga mihi,

Graham Williams

Member of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa

References:

Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2025: https://www.kahukuraariki.iwi.nz/kahukuraariki-trust-annual-report-2025/

RE: Kahukuraariki Communication Strategy – Is this a joke?

Kia ora Trustees,

I’ve found your recently published Kahukuraariki Communication Strategy (https://www.kahukuraariki.iwi.nz/kahukuraariki-communication-strategy/) document on your website.

Guiding Principles

  • Upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Our communications reflect the principles of Te Tiriti, ensuring justice, equity, and partnership guide every interaction.
  • Rooted in Mātauranga Māori: We honor the wisdom of our tīpuna, embedding te reo, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori in all that we say and share.
  • Strengthening Whanaungatanga: Every message seeks to build and nurture relationships, fostering unity and connection within our iwi and beyond.
  • Acting with Integrity: Our words are honest, our actions transparent, and our intentions grounded in the values of trust and accountability.
  • Inspiring and Empowering: We speak to uplift, to encourage participation, and to remind our people of their strength, resilience, and shared purpose for the future.

It talks about the Kahukuraariki Trust Board (KTB) being open, transparent, and inclusive to all Iwi members, it talks about being honest, transparent, trustworthy, and accountable, which are great ideals, but that’s certainly not my experience over the past 3 years.

The only experience I have of this Trust Board is that it denies Iwi members access to SGM, AGM and Resolution hui minutes, excludes Iwi members from attending and speaking at AGM/SGM and hui, and blocks Iwi members from its Facebook page, denying them a channel for open transparent discussion. Additional to this, I now read that the Trust Board plan to update the Trust Deed to exclude non-registered members access to information as clearly provided for in Clauses 12 and 33 of their Trust Deed. Will all Iwi members be allowed to attend these huis, and the SGM where all will be given the opportunity to discuss the changes to the Trust Deed, or will we be excluded yet again?

Also, could also please stop saying you represent Kahukuraariki, you do not represent my ancestors; you are the Kahukuraariki Trust Board, a Crown funded entity tasked with managing settlement assets, nothing more? You do not represent all members of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa, and you do not hold a mandate to do so; as evidenced in the Trustee elections back in 2022, where half of the Trustees, including the current Chair, were voted in with extremely low numbers (33, 26, 32, 111=202), from a registered member database of some 3,000+ members.

Nga mihi,

Graham Williams

Member of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa

Jean Joseph’s comment on Facebook – Re: Court case Glendith Samson vs Reuban Peterson on behalf of Waimahana Marae

Jean Joseph‘s comment on Facebook – Puhi O Te Waka – Waimahana Marae Committee on 31 Dec 2024

Kiaora

Good question Valerie. IF YOU RECALL. THERE WAS A COURTCASE AGAINST GLENDITH SAMSON by Reuban Peterson to stop elected KKTB Trustee o Waimahana onto the marae to give update. The Court Injuction was not upheld by the Maori Land Court, however due to the fiction created until the marae committee recinder or when elected marae trustees invite we remain polite. However, at the recent AGM there was 3 waimahana registered beneficiaries present whom live in Waimahana. Thank goodness, it gave me hope that there are whanau who are willing to get information and question and take a stand. I hope I have answered your question about Glendith and I.

Ngamihi

Graham Williams response to Jean Joseph‘s comment on Facebook

If you read the court minutes, you’ll realize Jean Joseph‘s comments above are not correct. Reuban Peterson was not trying to stop Glendith Samson from attending the marae. He was asking the court for an injunction to stop Glendith Samson saying that she represents the Waimahana Marae, when she had not been elected or authorized to do so by the Maori Land Court approved Waimahana Marae Committee.

The ruling to decline Reuban Peterson‘s application eluded to in the minutes by Judge Armstrong below is that the Maori Land Court jurisdiction does not extend to the Kahukuraariki Trust Board as it is not a Maori Trust. The only options would be to take the matter to the High Court or the Waitangi Tribunal.

Unfortunately, Jean Joseph, Glendith Samson and the Kahukuraariki Trust Board continue to misrepresent themselves as representing the Waimahana Marae, despite not being elected nor authorized to do so by the Waimahana Marae Committee.

Maori Land Court – 179 TTK 152-168 Minutes (Reuban Peterson – 30 August 2018)

MLC-179-TTK-152-168-Minutes-Reuban-Peterson-30-August-2018Download

Request for information as a non-registered member of KTB

Kia ora Trustees,

The Trust Board is obligated to include all members of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa in the process specified in Clause 33 of the KTB Trust Deed, whether they are registered or not, and as such I stand clearly within the parameters of the Trust Board. The Trust Board has failed to include all members in this process, as I was excluded from the SGM/AGM hui on the 18th June 2022, and I was denied the opportunity to present and discuss my serious concerns outlined in my letter in relation to the Resolution 1 – Ownership of Stoney Creek Station process outlined in Clause 33. The subsequent attempts to address my concerns by your GM via email, and the erroneous summary report provided by Toko have failed. My concerns remain unresolved, hence my outstanding requests for information.

My current outstanding requests that are unresolved:

1) Confirmation of my complaint in relation to being denied confirmation of my beneficiary status. Still waiting after more than a year.

2) Confirmation of my complaint in relation to being excluded from the SGM and AGM held on 18th June 2022. Still waiting after almost a year. Ms Baker has confirmed in her email below that the link provided to the SGM and AGM was to enable registered members only an opportunity to participate and/or view both hui in real time. This of cause means that non-register members were excluded, which in itself is a breach of the KTB Trust Deed Clause 33 to provide an open, transparent, and fair process to all members of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa.

3) A full copy of the zoom recordings of the SGM and AGM that I was excluded from held on 18th June 2022. If you can’t provide this then please provide me with the contact details and authority of the communications consulting service you engaged, so I can arrange for a copy of the hui zoom recording. Also, I have an email from your office confirming the existence of the zoom recording.

4) Copy of all of the SGM documentation including agenda, advertisements, minutes, and attendance register for the SGM held in relation to Clause 33.2 of the Trust Deed. As detailed in Toko’s summary report “Schedule 2, Point C – During the consultation process and at a Special General Meeting (SGM) called to discuss Stony Creek Station”. This is not available on your website. In fact, I’m not sure your GM understands exactly what SGM I’m asking about, as I don’t believe she has a detailed understanding of your Trust Deed , specifically Clause 33.2.

5) Copy of Toko’s full report relating to the Resolution 1 and Resolution 2 engagements, consultation, and meetings: including agenda, advertisements, minutes, and attendance registers. This is not available on your website.

Unfortunately, since you refuse to provide the information, I have requested, I can only assume that the process followed, voted on and passed by your administration under Clause 33 in relation to Resolution 1 – Ownership of Stoney Creek Station, has not met the conditions laid out in Clause 33, and as such any decisions relating to this matter are null and void. This coupled with your exclusion of non-registered members is a clear breach of the process and conditions outlined in Clause 33.

Nga mihi,

Graham Williams

Member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa

Non-registered members yet again denied access to Kahukuraariki AGM (2022, 2023 and now 2024)

2 December 2024

Kahukuraariki Trust Board

P O Box 788, Kerikeri 0295

By email: admin@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz

RE: Kahukuraariki AGM 2024

Dear Chair and Trust Board,

Thank you for your letter dated the 4th September 2024 responding to my letter of 5th August 2024.

Thank you for acknowledging that I have provided my whakapapa and birth certificate to the Trust Board confirming my status as a “member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa”; as in I whakapapa to Ngati Aukiwa.

Thank you for outlining your Trust registration process; however, I’ve never asked how I can become a “registered member” of the Trust. In providing my whakapapa and birth certificate I am providing proof that I am a “member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa”, and as such a beneficiary of your Trust. I do not have to register to be a beneficiary, nor do I have to register to be able to participate in and afforded access to AGM, SGM, minutes etc as per your Trust Deed. I believe this matter was addressed in my lawyer’s letter to you more than a year ago on the 25 September 2023, and again to your lawyer on the 21 November 2023. You acknowledged receiving my lawyer’s letter at the 2023 AGM, and reaffirmed receiving it again in your recently published Kahukuraaki Trust Annual Report 2024 of the 16th September 2024. To date we have not received a reply from you nor your lawyer.

Unfortunately, by only offering to allow me to attend the latest AGM as an observer, you have yet again denied me the opportunity to participate in the latest KTB AGM; which is the third straight year that I have been denied my rights as a beneficiary.

Additionally, as requested in my previous letter, can you please provide the contact details of the new Trustees?

Yours Faithfully,

Mr Graham Williams

Member of Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa

Correspondence Address:

Graham Williams

PO Box 301347

Albany 0632

Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2024 – Brief Review

From: graham.williams@wairuakiwi.com
Date: 19 September 2024 at 4:48:51 PM AEST
To: Teresa Tepania-Ashton <teresa.tepania-ashton@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>
Cc: April Hetaraka <ahetaraka@gmail.com>, Hinepotaurangi Jean Joseph <jjhinepotaurangi@gmail.com>, Roger Kingi <rateakingi@xtra.co.nz>, Norm Mckenzie <norm.mckenzie@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>, Ana Hotere <anahotere@gmail.com>, Waitangi Wood <tauihoitepotrust@gmail.com>, Roger Kingi <roger.kingi@kahukuraariki.iwi.nz>, Hone JJ Ripikoi <jj@farnorth.me>

Subject: Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2024 – Brief Review

Kia ora Teresa,

I’ve just finished reviewing your yet to be approved Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2024 and Financial Statements, and the Trustees may wish to have your accountant review your GM’s flawed analysis, as it implies that the operational loss this year of $187k are due to market highs and lows of the Milford Investment portfolio performance in 2024, which according to the details recorded in your published Financial Statements is clearly not true.

GM quote: “The Balance continues to show a healthy $19,541,930 equity (net owned assets), which is inclusive of the Milford Investment Portfolio. There is difference (a loss) of approx. $187,000, compared with last year, which in the scheme of investment market highs and lows, is not significant for long term investors like the Trust. Over the long term, invested funds will even out and will continue to provide a competitive rate of return as long as the majority of the quantum remains intact.”

The Milford Investment portfolio performance in 2024 resulted in a net profit of approximately $500k not a $187k loss, according to your Financial Statements. The Milford Investment portfolio balance dropped from $5.7m in 2023 to $5.5m in 2024 due to withdrawals to cover your excessive administration and operational expenses. Your investment strategies over the past 4 years have failed to provide enough revenue to cover your operational expenses hence your losses. It’s reasonable to accept losses for a year or so, but 4 years straight without even attempting to rein in your operational costs nor adequately adjusting your investment strategy is concerning to say the least.

The Trust’s primary responsibility is to manage the settlement assets for its present and future beneficiaries; however, I’m concerned over the serious losses incurred over the past 4 years; 2021 – $380,000, 2022 – $630,000, 2023 – $570,000, and now in 2024 – $187,000. The exceptional Milford Investment portfolio gains in 2020 of $1.5 million have now been extinguished as I predicted in my analysis last year. The Milford Investment portfolio 4 years ago was $6.9 million, however its diminished to $5.5 million in 2024. The primary reason for these losses based on reviewing your accounts over the past 4 years, would be the excessive Administration and Operational costs; in 2023 – $1.2 million, and yet again in 2024 – $1 million. What does the Trust intend to do about reversing these excessive Administration and Operational costs?

I’ll leave others to comment on the inaccurate 2023 AGM Minutes, as yet again I was denied the opportunity to attend, speak and vote as a non-registered member. Could you please ensure that this email is tabled at your 2024 AGM as a matter of record?

Nga mihi,

Graham Williams

Member of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa

References:

  1. Kahukuraariki Trust Annual Report 2024: https://www.kahukuraariki.iwi.nz/kahukuraariki-trust-annual-report-2024/