Chathams Resurgent

In 1990 those living on Chatham Islands/ Rekohu/ Wharekauri faced crisis. Annexed to New Zealand by a London proclamation, the Islands had experienced 150 years of New Zealand control. Years of muddlement, some good intentions, financial waste exploitation and theft, and failure to deliver democratic rights and basic infrastructure. The after-effects of Rogernomics had produced a government decision to “walk away”. Such infrastructure as existed would be abandoned, with the Islanders left to save themselves, or fail and leave.

In 1990, Islanders rose to the challenge of their new independence from Wellington. Their independent community co-operative, the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust, soon flourished. Today it operates electricity, ports, shipping, and other companies; uses a portfolio of fishing quota to support on-Island fishers, and supports private Island businesses.

Author Hugh Rennie is a retired lawyer, director, and trustee. His involvement in the Islands spans more than 50 years, including as solicitor to the former County Council, advisor to Islanders and Island interests, and eleven years as first chair of the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust (1990-2001). In 1989 Rennie was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting, in 1995 became a Queens Counsel, and in 2022 was knighted for services to governance, the law, business and the community.