Latest news with #DeedofSettlement
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Moriori Challenge Crown Over 'Tino Rangatiratanga'
Wellington, 12 June 2025 – The Moriori Imi Settlement Trust (MIST), supported by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust (HMT), has filed proceedings in the High Court at Wellington challenging the Crown's proposal to recognise Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri's (NMOW) tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands). In 1870, the Native Land Court and colonial government gave 97.3% of all land on the Chatham Islands to NMOW (who arrived on an English sailing ship in only 1835), completely disregarding Moriori custom and the ancient, peaceful occupation of the islands. Instead, they applied the New Zealand Māori custom of take raupatu (claim by conquest). The Waitangi Tribunal found in 2001 that Moriori should have received 'at least 50% of the land' on Rēkohu and that 'redress by far was due to Moriori' (Tribunal recommends compensation for Moriori). Despite this, NMOW have continued to claim exclusive mana whenua and tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. Now, the Crown appears ready to repeat these past injustices. When Moriori settled their historic Treaty claims with the Crown in 2020, the Crown gave clear and repeated assurances that it would remain strictly neutral between imi and iwi on matters of mana whenua and tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. For this reason, those terms do not appear in the Moriori Deed of Settlement. Moriori Claims Settlement Act 2021: However, in 2022, MIST was formally advised that the Crown intended to include in the NMOW Deed of Settlement an explicit acknowledgement of NMOW's tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. This contradicts prior commitments made to Moriori and represents a serious breach of trust and the terms of our own Deed. The Crown maintains this does not amount to recognition of mana whenua —a position strongly rejected by MIST and supported by respected Māori legal and tikanga experts. In their view, tino rangatiratanga clearly implies exclusive chiefly authority over land. Moriori (MIST & HMT) consider the Crown's position not only disingenuous—but outrageous. Tino rangatiratanga is not a term the Crown has the right to define, limit, or politically reinterpret to suit its convenience. The implications of this recognition are profound. It would undermine the integrity and intent of the Moriori Treaty settlement—an outcome Moriori worked toward for generations. It would also risk legitimising the 1835 invasion, where two mainland tribes used violence to kill, enslave, and displace the peaceful Moriori. Under tikane Moriori, land was never taken through warfare. Even under tikanga Māori, NMOW's claims to take raupatu were not found valid by the Waitangi Tribunal. This situation raises an unsettling question: Why is this happening at all? Why would the Crown give such clear assurances to Moriori, only to reverse course and grant the very recognition it swore it would withhold? This contradiction cuts to the core of the Crown's integrity and the trust that should underpin the Treaty settlement process. This legal challenge is not intended to delay or block NMOW's redress. Moriori supports their right to a settlement— provided it does not impinge upon or undermine Moriori rights. We offered a solution: remove the offending phrase from NMOW's Deed. The Crown refused. Moriori are now calling on the Crown to honour its promise of neutrality and refrain from taking any steps that would undermine the Treaty settlement signed with us just five years ago. Anything less risks eroding trust in the Crown's commitments. With all other avenues exhausted, Moriori will now seek to be heard in the court of law. We do so reluctantly, but with a firm commitment to uphold the dignity of our karapuna (ancestors) and protect the legacy we leave for future generations of our imi (people). Me rongo (In peace)
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Progressing Ngāti Hāua Settlement At Pace
Hon Paul Goldsmith Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations The Government is striving forward with Treaty negotiations at pace as the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill passes its first reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. 'I am delighted to be able to move forward with this settlement just months after the Crown and Ngāti Hāua signed a Deed in Taumarunui. 'This is testament to Ngāti Hāua's negotiation team and the Government's priority to make significant progress in the Treaty negotiations space. 'It is an honour to welcome Ngāti Hāua to Parliament today. The Bill marks the beginning of the last stage of the iwi's eight-year journey to settlement. 'Today is about looking forward to the future, while acknowledging the past and the long and difficult journey it has taken to get here.' Key elements of the redress include: Cultural redress including the return of 64 culturally significant sites like the land at the confluence of the Whanganui and Ongarue rivers (Ngā Huinga). The payment of $19 million in financial redress to enable the economic revitalisation of Ngāti Hāua. Statutory pardons for two Ngāti Hāua ancestors who were arrested and treated with exceptional harshness in the 1840s, one of whom was executed. Ngāti Hāua is an iwi based in the central North Island, centred around Taumarunui. It is a population of approximately 2,500 people. A copy of the Deed of Settlement is available online at: Te Tari Whakatau - Ngāti Hāua.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Te Heke Whakangā Ki Motueka Showcases Iwi Journey
A new exhibition is coming to Motueka Museum showcasing the rich history and remarkable journey of local iwi Ngāti Rārua. The exhibition, Te Heke Whakangā, opens to the public at Motueka District Museum Pupuri Taonga on Sunday 18 May, and will run for 11 weeks. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua board chair Olivia Hall says the exhibition is a chance to look back on history as we move into the future. 'Ngāti Rārua signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in good faith on 17 June 1840 and after 173 years of Crown breaches, in 2013, Ngāti Rārua signed their Deed of Settlement. 'Te Heke Whakangā tells just a few Ngāti Rārua stories relating to Motueka. This will give people some insight into the scale of what Ngāti Rārua have lost and experienced, across generations. 'Looking back is important, because recognising where you've come from, supports and strengthens how you move forward.' Building a strong, secure future is a firm focus of the iwi, she says. 'Since 2013 we have focussed on rebuilding our economic, cultural, environmental and social pou, for the benefit of not only Ngāti Rārua, but our wider communities. 'Here in Motueka Te Āwhina Marae goes from strength to strength, revitalising our reo, our toi, and housing our people in traditional papakainga style. 'We have an unwavering commitment to support our whānau and hapū of Ngāti Rārua.' About the exhibition This is the second Te Heke Whakangā exhibition and gives insight into Ngāti Rārua history and experience in Motueka. The first, in Wairau, attracted more than 7,000 visitors. Some of the exhibits of Ngā Heke Whakangā include Ngāti Rārua Tupuna Whakapapa, Motueka Reserves, Whakarewa, Te Āwhina Marae, 28th Māori Battalion and Ngāti Rārua whānau, and
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Te Kawerau a Maki - Latest News [Page 1]
Collaborative Approach To Protect Waitakere Ranges Nothing To Fear Mr Ashby says Te Kawerau ā Maki Deed of Settlement promised a new relationship with the Crown based on mutual respect and cooperation but a generation of Te Kawerau ā Maki people are growing up on the broken promise of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage ... More >> Auckland Iwi Becomes Proud Owner Of School Properties Friday, 6 November 2020, 12:19 pm | Te Kawerau a Maki Te Kawerau ā Maki and the Accident Compensation Corporation have become proud owners of four schools in Auckland as part of the tribe's Treaty Settlement. The deal involves the purchase and lease back of Campbells Bay Primary, Waterview Primary, ... More >> Mana whenua sets the record straight Thursday, 25 July 2019, 4:45 pm | Te Kawerau a Maki The people of Te Kawerau ā Maki have worked hard to secure substantial redress for past wrongs and will not tolerate a campaign of misinformation about their whenua, says the tribe's chairman Te Warena Taua. More >> List of Waitakere Ranges tracks considered safe Thursday, 21 June 2018, 5:10 pm | Te Kawerau a Maki Te Kawerau a Maki would like to clarify and confirm the list of tracks within and surrounding the Waitakere Ranges forested area (the Waitakere Rahui) that are currently* considered safe to use and for which controlled public access has been authorised ... More >> Waitākere Ranges Closure Tuesday, 1 May 2018, 5:38 pm | Te Kawerau a Maki Auckland Council voted on 10 April to close the forested area of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, with some exceptions, by 1 May 2018. The Council's stated criteria for exceptions (tracks that can be opened) include 'whether they are outside the ... More >> Auckland Council Consultation on Waitākere Ranges Closure Tuesday, 13 March 2018, 10:42 am | Te Kawerau a Maki Auckland Council are currently seeking community feedback on their proposal to close the forested area of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, with some exceptions, by 1 May 2018. The criteria for exceptions (tracks that can be opened) include whether ... More >>
