Memorandum of Understanding
Nōku te korikori, nōu te korikori tahi
1. Partners
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the University of Otago.
1.1 The University of Otago was founded in 1869 by an Ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council.
The Charter of the University of Otago states the institution's commitment to the articles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
1.2 For the purposes of this Memorandum, Ngāi Tahu are the tangata whenua of the boundary defined within the 1996 Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act and the 1998 Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act. In particular the Crown clearly recognises Ngāi Tahu status as tangata whenua in the 1998 Act, which states: Part 1,6.(7).
The Crown apologises to Ngāi Tahu for its past failures to acknowledge Ngāi Tahu rangatiratanga and mana over the South Islands within its boundaries, and in fulfilment of its Treaty obligations, the Crown recognises Ngāi Tahu as the tangata whenua of, and as holding rangatiratanga within, the Takiwā of Ngāi Tahu Whanui.
2. Purpose
Both Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the Treaty partner, and the University of Otago agree that the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a protocol that gives effect to a Treaty of Waitangi based partnership. This Memorandum of Understanding will give effect to Ngāi Tahu's aspirations and allow the University of Otago to realise their Treaty obligations.
Ngāi Tahu as tangata whenua recognise the responsibility to provide manaakitanga for the interests of all people within the takiwā of Ngāi Tahu whānui . Ngāi Tahu also recognise that the University of Otago is both a national and international university, that its campus extends outside the Ngāi Tahu boundary and that the University is developing relationships with other tangata whenua/iwi within their respective tribal takiwā as appropriate.
The University of Otago will recognise Ngāi Tahu rangatiratanga and mana within the takiwā of Ngāi Tahu whānui.
3. Principles
3.1 Both partners acknowledge and respect the statutory autonomy of the other.
3.2 Both partners acknowledge the principles of academic freedom and the University's role as a critic and conscience of society.
3.3 Either party has the right to enter into other agreements with other iwi/tertiary institutions.
3.4 The University will seek and receive advice from Ngāi Tahu on the exercising of kawa and tikanga within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā.
3.5 In areas of mutual agreement, the partners will explore the joint development and evaluation of programmes and initiatives.
3.6 Both partners make a commitment to open discussion, positive negotiation and a problem-solving approach to all matters related to fulfilling the purpose of this partnership.
3.7 Both partners recognise and respect the diverse strengths and contributions each brings to the partnership.
3.8 Both partners recognise and respect the obligations of financial accountability which each brings to the partnership.
3.9 Both partners commit themselves to striving for excellence in education for all students.
3.10 Both partners will have equal status in decision making on all matters related to fulfilling the purpose of this partnership.
3.11 Both partners undertake to inform the other of new information and developments which could impact on the fulfilling of the purpose of this partnership.
3.12 Effective channels of communication and regular opportunities for dialogue and the establishment of formal mechanisms for input are essential to the success of the partnership.
4. Cooperation
4.1 Both partners agree to co-operate in the implementation of the purpose and principles that will give effect to the Memorandum of Understanding.
4.2 Nominees of the University of Otago Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to meet at least biannually to review progress on this memorandum and to identify priority issues and tasks.
5. Mechanisms and Processes for Cooperation
5.1 Both partners agree to put in place mechanisms and processes through which the purpose and principles of this agreement can be fulfilled.
6. Review of Agreement
6.1 The memorandum of understanding will be reviewed every three years.
For, and on behalf of,
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Mark Solomon
Kaiwhakahaere
For, and on behalf of, the University of Otago
Eion S Edgar
Chancellor
