| 103 COMMUNITY Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust The Chatham Islands is one of the most diverse seabird breeding sites in the world with 28 different species breeding there, mostly on their offshore islands and steppes because of pressure from predators on the mainland. “Then I was tapped on the shoulder by some of the former trustees of the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust who were wanting to inject some youth into the line-up and I’m just coming into the 4th year of my first term now and have been Chair since December 2023,” explains Hamish. The Chatham Island Enterprise Trust nominally involves a monthly board meeting, but its responsibilities cut to the heart of the Chatham Islands ongoing welfare. With a Trust Deed that dates back to the early 90’s they’re currently working to broaden their stated goals and guiding philosophies to include the environment along with other social and economic concerns. “To modernize it and make it fit for purpose for the current Chatham Island community rather than the one that was here 50 years ago,” summarises Hamish, whose law degree is also about to come in handy. “Part of it’s a compliance exercise too to make sure we’re up to date with the latest Trust Law amendments.” The Trust’s responsibilities range far and wide and are vital to the population’s ongoing success. The economic development and wellbeing of the island remains at its core with the Chatham Island Enterprise Trust, helped by some major nvestment from the government, now overseeing much of the island’s core infrastructure such as the main port, the airport, the electricity company, and shipping, along with an investment portfolio and various quotas. “The port and the airport are like our State Highway 1 so we need to have them functioning properly and to be able to provide certainty to islanders needing to bring goods in or ship goods out. “All current and future Chatham Islanders are beneficiaries of the trust so on their behalf we aim to manage that in a socially responsible way that still brings enough revenue in to keep everything else ticking along,” explains Hamish. From his point of view, with much of the island’s infrastructure assets now replaced the Trust can begin to act more strategically and focus on one of its core purposes, economic development. He’s looking forward to working on initiatives that will provide the sort of diverse job opportunities that will bring the young people back to the island and foster the growing and thriving community that he knows it has the potential to be. Experience the real Chatham Islands This is an authentic Chatham Islands lodge, specializes in small tour packages, providing an intimate glimpse into life on the Chatham Islands. Awarakau Lodge www.awarakau-lodge.nz BOOK NOW Greg 0276991222 | Rosemarie 0273050069 enquiries@awarakau-lodge.nz www.awarakau-lodge.nz
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