Tuhoe Waikaremoana Trust Board

Tuhoe Waikaremoana Trust Board Responses to Radio Frequency Auction 2.3 and 2.5 GHz Bands

General

It is with pleasure that we have been invited to submit our views with regards to a response to the paper that has recently been released by Ministry of Economics.

I regret the late submission and only bought to my attention a little later than normal and that is due to a lack of communication problems within the structures surrounding our current core business timetables. Our thanks to Te Puni Kokiri office that sent an email to one of our local Tribal Executives for our attention.

Secondly, the time to discuss the technical details with an IT consultant was not possible due to receiving this proposal by the writer late last week, hence the request for an extension to allow our thoughts on this paper.

I do not profess to have a technical mind with IT technology as it currently stands but have an understanding when talking about Frequency Bands due to my Army Career Service as a Communications Operator within the corps of Royal NZ Signals.

To that end, I will attempt to provide answers in a format of overview and later table it to our Tribal and Iwi authorities at their next scheduled meeting.

Question 2; Proposed Lot Design.

We will opt for Option c (ii) having nominated this option; I believe it maybe necessary to look at other alternatives that may surface from other Iwi Submissions.

Question 3; Maori Interests;

One of my suggestions would be to appoint a Special Task Force to discuss this issue further and provide them with a mandate and time frame. With the support of Te Puni Kokiri circulate a paper seeking nominations from Maori Delegates representing their Tribal Authorities with a proviso to co opt IT Specialists for advice

This would apply to;

• Maori Services
• Preservation of Maori Language and Culture

Question 4; Eligibility to Bid;

Because of the advantage that the big Communications Companies have and a monopoly of various resources and assets at their disposal, we strongly support the notion that these huge Companies Telecoms and Vodaphone have RESTRICTIONS placed on them to allow small players in the market to enter into the auction process for these frequency bands

Question 5; Duration of Acquisition Limits;

We are comfortable with an acquisition time frame of December 2012 to allow the necessary consultations to take place between Iwi authorities and a National Conference to follow it up.

Also to allow Strategic Plans to be set in place and a compilation of Business Plans that could secure and ensure that Maori interests are catered for or have had an opportunity to discuss these matters at length.

In addition, it allows those Maori Claimants and this Trust Board to negotiate settlements under the Treaty of Waitangi Claims.

Question 6; Use or Lose Provisions;

We are suggesting a time frame of December 2014 for Cabinet to arrive at their decision.

Our preference would be for Option A for licenses to be granted and thus provide an opportunity for Maori and Iwi based structures to establish their own needs of investment in Capital Equipment necessary to conduct their own core businesses

Question 7; Settlement;

We would be comfortable with proposed settlements of 30 days after securing a bid through the auction process and also support the clause Para 107 under Sub Heading of 6.6 of this chapter

Question 8; MSP Allocation Procedures and Usage Rules;

Having read and re read all the options available, at this time and until further consultations within our Iwi and with MED, the option we are looking to favour would be

1. Agree suggested eligibility for access to MSP
2. yes agree to this
3. Option 3 The advantages would be more appropriate for our future planning and that is the retentions and maintenance of our Reo and Economic Development
4. Prices and costs that will assist with Capital purchases and possible alternatives as technology progresses with time
5. One of the key issues for us would be the costs that is being suggested which is borne by the Holder of the Rights and particular Freq Allocations that was successfully purchased
6. Administrative costs, fees and resource charges should be very minimal and or funding be set aside to advantage both parties when it comes to implementing MSP

Question 9; Transition Plan for the 2.5 Ghz Band;

No, we are fully in agreeance with the suggested transition planed for existing licenses in this range

Additional Notes;

Our Tribe is possible one of the last Iwi to apply for its own Radio/TV frequency at present. New plans are being discussed for changes within our Iwi Authority structures as part of our settlement with the Government for our Treaty Claims.

We intend to apply for our allocation of frequencies very shortly to enable us to Retain and Maintain the preservation of our Language, Whakapapa, History, art and Customs

The topographical location of our boundaries within Tuhoe is very hilly terrain and will require a number of frequencies to successfully beam into our scattered community in the Rural areas.

Thank you for the opportunity of submitting our thoughts to this very important paper.

Clifford HCK Waaka JP

Communications Delegate

Tuhoe Waikaremoana Trust Board