Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust wishes to express great sympathy to everyone affected by the series of earthquakes that have, and continue to cause much anguish and despair in the city of Christchurch, since September 2010.

Since the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the City of Christchurch and its surrounding suburbs on February 22, 2011 Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi has been developing a strategy to ensure assistance is given to all Ngāti Rangitihi iwi members still residing in Christchurch, or those who have been forced out of their homes as a result.

Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust recognises the importance of ensuring the safety all Ngāti Rangitihi iwi members first and foremost and, where possible provide assistance to enable those iwi members to continue on with their lives as best possible.

A lot of planning and consultation has been conducted between Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust and Ngāti Rangitihi iwi members currently residing in the Christchurch area and, as a result, the Trust has developed the Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust Christchurch Earthquake Assistance Fund 2011.

As part of our commitment to ensure Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members receive the required and necessary support Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust has devised the following Action Plan:

• To continuously update the Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members list, which will provide a suitable platform to effectively engage with Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members currently residing in Christchurch
• To initiate and continue effective communication with Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members
• To generate a sound and sustainable strategy for the allocation of all grants available through the Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust Christchurch Earthquake Assistance Fund 2011, which is based on the needs identified by Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members
• To assist in the development of Ngāti Rangitihi focused initiatives that will stand the test of time
• To enable Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members to maintain a uniquely Ngāti Rangitihi network within the Christchurch region

The Tautoko Ōtautahi project is spearheaded by our Database Coordinator and Iwi Liaison Officer, Erana Leaf. Her role has been instrumental in the development of the project from start to end.

Erana has and continues to maintain daily contact with our Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members, and has met with those iwi members Kanohi ki te Kanohi to establish an Action Plan, and to advise the Trust on how funds are to be distributed to Ngāti Rangitihi ki Ōtautahi iwi members based on their identified needs.