About Te Roopū

Memorandum of Understanding

Between:
Te Roopū Māori o te Whare Wānanga o Otago (Te Roopū Māori)

And:
The Otago University Students' Association (OUSA)

  1. Introduction
  2. Media
  3. Levy
  4. Committee Representation
  5. OUSA-Te Roopū Māori Liaison
  6. Conflict Resolution Committee
  7. Account Administration Agreement
  8. Annual Review

The parties agree as follows:

1. Introduction
1.1 OUSA recognises Te Roopu Maori as the parallel body that represents Maori students of the University of Otago (“the University”).

1.2 Te Roopu Maori recognises OUSA as the parallel body that represents all students at the University.

1.3 OUSA and Te Roopu Maori will actively promote their parallel relationship in all areas, such as in regard to the media and campaigns.

1.4 Te Roopu Maori and OUSA recognise that financial accountability is paramount in relation to members’ funds, and that any conditions or restrictions in this Memorandum of Understanding are to protect members’ funds.

2. Media
2.1 OUSA will work with Te Roopu Maori towards establishing a Kaiwhakapaoho position at Planet Media Dunedin Limited.

3. Levy

3.1 In total, OUSA will pass onto Te Roopu Maori monies equivalent to seventy-five per cent of the OUSA levy, multiplied by the number of Maori EFTS.

3.2 When OUSA receives its first payment of levy income from the University, it will pay Te Roopu Maori on receipt of an invoice an amount equivalent to one half of the total, based on the previous year’s Te Roopu Maori EFTS.

3.3 The remainder of the levy will be based on confirmed numbers for the current year and will be paid upon receipt of invoice from Te Roopu Maori for three further equal instalments on 1st June, 1st September and 1st December. To protect members interests, payments shall be conditional on the following:

3.3.1 Te Roopu Maori shall abide by the Te Roopu Maori Constitution;

3.3.2 Te Roopu Maori shall retain their status as an Incorporated Society; and,

3.3.3 Te Roopu Maori shall achieve and retain their status as a registered Charity.

3.4 Where funds are withheld from Te Roopu Maori the following shall occur:

3.4.1 The funds shall be invested; and reinvest in such securities and generally upon such terms and conditions as OUSA shall decide upon.

3.4.2 OUSA may use the funds to support Maori Students’ at Otago University; and

3.4.3 The Presidents of OUSA and Te Roopu Maori shall enter discussions around the future use of the withheld funds.

3.5 Both parties agree to vary the payment in 3.1 in line with the OUSA Levy Working Party recommendations should those recommendations affect Te Roopu Maori funding.

3.6 Both parties agree that while the payment in 3.2 is not subject to any withholding provisions in 2007 the conditions contained in 3.4 shall cover all levy funds payable to Te Roopu Maori after 31 December 2008.

4. Committee Representation

4.1 The parties agree to continue the policy of seeking Te Roopu Maori seats on University committees, where Te Roopu Maori expresses an interest in holding such a seat.

4.2 To facilitate 4.1 OUSA and Te Roopu Maori will communicate with each over such representation.

4.3 The parties agree to actively lobby the University for a third seat on Council, to improve Maori representation at higher levels of the University.

5. OUSA–Te Roopu Maori Liaison

5.1 The parties agree multi-level liaison is essential to coherent student representation at the University.

5.2 The OUSA President and Te Roopu Maori Tumuaki shall meet regularly.

5.3 The OUSA executive and Te Roopu Maori executive shall meet throughout the academic year, as deemed appropriate by both executives.

5.4 OUSA and Te Roopu Maori representatives on University committees should consult each other before the respective committee meets.

5.5 OUSA will assist Te Roopu Maori with Te Rito training.

6. Conflict Resolution Committee

6.1 If there is a conflict between the parties regarding the definition of any clause in this memorandum of understanding, a conflict resolution committee shall be formed to discuss the matter.

6.2 The committee shall comprise of the President of OUSA, the Tumuaki o Te Roopu Maori and two members of each respective executive.

6.3 In the case of a dispute arising both parties shall agree on the appointment of a mediator and enter into mediation with the spirit and intent of resolving the issues.

6.4 If agreement on the appointment of a mediator is not forthcoming or the mediation is unsuccessful the parties shall have an arbitrator appointed by the then President of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (Inc). In any case the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996 shall apply.

7. Account Administration Agreement

7.1 Te Roopu Maori and OUSA agree that OUSA may through agreement manage Te Roopu Accounts, and;

7.2 Both parties agree that the intention of any Account Administration Agreement is done in good faith and that it does not contravene the intentions of this Memorandum of Understanding.

8. Annual Review

8.1 Both parties shall review this document before the end of the second university semester in 2008.

8.2 If a review is not concluded by December 31st, the agreement will be presumed to have rolled over.