REPORT

REVIEW OFCHATHAM ISLANDS ENTERPRISE TRUSTAND CHATHAM ISLANDS COUNCIL

Basil Monison CNZM

Hugh Rennie CBE QC

August

2009

Introduction:

2008,

the Chathams community discussed key issues for its future, followingthe third Taylor Baines report. Amongst the issues raised were the future rolesfor the Chatham lslands Council and the Chatham lslands Enterprise Trust.Concerns were expressed as to whether there was duplication of governanceand administration, and whether their respective tasks were allocated to thebody best able to undertake them. We were asked

the Trust and the Councilto review their current structures and operations, to consider ways in which therecould be combined operations or a merger, and to set out our findings, optionsfor action and our recommendations. In particular we are asked to recommendways forward for the Chathams to ensure the lslands have a sustainable future.We issued a discussion document, invited and received submissions, consultedwith the Trust, Council, lslands organisations and individuals, and consideredcurrent information on government commitments and proposals for theChathams. We now submit our report.A copy of our discussions document is Appendix A to this Report

Cooperation between Trust and Council:The Trust has been in existence since

1991.

The Council in its present formwas reconstituted by

1995

legislation, and is now supported by the governmentfunding (to supplement rates and dues) which commenced five years ago.Each organisation has successfully carried on its respective responsibilities overthese periods despite resource limitations of personnel and finance. Each hascurrent issues in respect of future operations. With the exception of recent jointsubmissions to government, and some past "one off' initiatives on particularprojects, we found that the Trust and the Council have operated separately andindependently since the Trust was established. There has not been conflict. Thesuggestion of closer cooperation or merger is new.Our discussion document identified ways in which the Trust and the Councilmight work together, or become more closely associated, or become merged. Itwas apparent in consultations that there is almost universal support in theChathams' community for a closer association leading to at least some level ofintegration. In consequence our report considers these issues from thatperspective.In practical terms, we found there can be initial cooperation, consultationfollowed by rationalization of activities, and continued joint work towards a singleoutcome acceptable to both organisations and the community.