PH Builds Alliance with Maori

Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri Iwi Trust staff withPhillip Roth from Polson Higgs, second from right. In its branches in both Christchurch and Dunedin, Polson Higgs has a group of staff who have built considerable expertise in delivering services to Maori, including Maori business but also across a range of other sectors. Phillip Roth, a Partner in Business Services, said: "In the last five years Polson Higgs has experienced genuine growth in demand from Maori and it's been a privilege for us to be involved."

He works alongside Joseph Thomas in Christchurch while Partner Phil Broughton and Suzanne Spencer are driving the delivery of services from the Dunedin office. Clients have come from a range of businesses - retail, tourism, creative and the manufacturing sector, with Polson Higgs staff assisting with mentoring services, Maori trustee training, strategic and business planning, investment planning, policy development and HR management. Among those to use Polson Higgs assistance is the Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri Iwi Trust (Chathams). It represents Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri, whose members live on the Chathams and also on the mainland and outside New Zealand. The nine trustees have worked hard to meet the criteria of a "MIO" (mandated iwi organisation) demanded by Te Ohu Kaimoana and the Maori Fisheries Act 2004. The trust's job is to manage the fisheries quota settlement awarded in 2005 and to invest returns that come from the sales of "ACE" (annual catch entitlement or quota). Trust chairman, Phil Seymour said that Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri has huge responsibility for the cultural, commercial and charitable aspects of its business. "Consequently, we have engaged Polson Higgs for a range of services, which means we can access specialist skills to assist with business activities. "A developing organisation such as ours needs these services so that we can work through a lot of compliance issues and other aspects of the business." He said an excellent working relationship had been developed with Polson Higgs advisers. Phillip Roth said that the trust is focused on building sustainable futures for its base of beneficiaries, ensuring that assets are secure and can grow. "There has been a switch away from wanting money to be handed out; instead Maori are conscious about safeguarding the welfare of future generations," he said.

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Last updated: 27th August 2009 | 3:56 pm