Lakebeds returned to Maori | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Lakebeds returned to Maori
Te Arawa Maori Trust Board chairman Anaru Rangiheuea and Margaret Wilson. PICTURE: TRACEY ROBINSON (181204tr6)
By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
Te Arawa turned out in the hundreds to witness history in the making as iwi leaders signed a deal many believe marks a new beginning for the tribe.
Witnessed by more than 500 people who attended Saturday's ceremony at Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, Government officials and iwi leaders signed a deed of settlement returning ownership of 13 lakebeds to Te Arawa. The deal also includes cultural and financial redress and an apology from the Crown. Legislation is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year confirming the settlement.
Not even the rain could keep people away from Te Papaiouru Marae for the historic event, which for many marks the start of a new era for the tribe.
Te Arawa Maori Trust Board chairman Anaru Rangiheuea said many people had fought for the lakes to be returned to Te Arawa over the past 125 years.
"This settlement is the culmination of an enormous amount of work by many dedicated Te Arawa over many, many years," he said.
"We pay homage to our tupuna, many of whom have long passed on but who fought the good fight in their endeavours to see the lakes returned to our people."
Mr Rangiheuea described the signing of the settlement as a significant milestone for Te Arawa.
"Through this settlement Te Arawa will be able to develop and maintain effective and meaningful relationships with the lakes.
"It will increase our ability to participate in a positive manner in both the local and national community. There is still a little bit of work of be done but now our people can move on."
Te Arawa negotiator David Tapsell said the negotiation process had not always been easy with public interests to be considered as well as the tribe's.
"Negotiations are always difficult but it is fair to say nothing good comes easy. It's always hard when it's a natural resources claim.
"There are public interests to balance up but I believe this settlement takes everyone's interests into account."
After consultation with iwi, 93 percent had voted in favour of the deal, said Mr Tapsell.
"We are convinced, taking all things into account and today's political climate, this is the best outcome."
Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said the return of the lakebeds meant Te Arawa and the rest of country could move into the future on a positive note.
Nothing would change for anyone wanting to use the lakes for recreational purposes, she said.
"This is the beginning of a new era for both Te Arawa and the Crown. The people of Te Arawa and the Rotorua lakes area now have certainty that Te Arawa's historical lakes claims have been settled and that public access to the lakes will continue.
"This agreement will strengthen the relationship between Te Arawa and the wider community and demonstrates how Treaty settlements can help us build a strong and confident nation," she said.
The 1922 Fenton Agreement, which saw ownership of the lakes vested in the Crown and Te Arawa granted cultural fishing rights and an annuity of ?6000, was "not justice done, but justice delayed", Ms Wilson said.
She handed over three trees for planting around the lakes, saying they would represent the growing relationship between Te Arawa and the Government.
"Te Arawa has never allowed its relationship with the lakes to be lost ... these trees will represent healing as they grow," said Ms Wilson.
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said reaching an agreement had not always been easy, with strong opposition at times, but the tribe should be applauded for reaching "this historical milestone".
"This has been a year of testing times," he said. "These testing times have highlighted the constructive, amicable and sheer courageous manner in which these negotiations have progressed, with a real effort to understand, respect and provide for a broad myriad of sometimes complementary, and sometimes competing, interests."
The Government had not always recognised and protected in law Maori customary values to resources but that was changing, said Mr Horomia.
"New Zealand owes much of its wealth and its lifestyle to lands and natural resources once held by Maori. This is clearly evident in the extensive recreational and commercial use of the Te Arawa lakes.
"Where such resources have been acquired or managed in ways that breach the Treaty ... the Crown has accepted a moral obligation, rather than a legal obligation, on behalf of all New Zealanders to put right those wrongs to the fullest extent that it possibly can.
"In doing so, the Crown hopes to lay the basis for a positive and constructive future relationship with Maori," he said.
For full coverage and our picture special see today's Daily Post
Te Arawa turned out in the hundreds to witness history in the making as iwi leaders signed a deal many believe marks a new beginning for the tribe.
Witnessed by more than 500 people who attended Saturday's ceremony at Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, Government officials and iwi leaders signed a deed of settlement returning ownership of 13 lakebeds to Te Arawa. The deal also includes cultural and financial redress and an apology from the Crown. Legislation is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year confirming the settlement.
Not even the rain could keep people away from Te Papaiouru Marae for the historic event, which for many marks the start of a new era for the tribe.
Te Arawa Maori Trust Board chairman Anaru Rangiheuea said many people had fought for the lakes to be returned to Te Arawa over the past 125 years.
"This settlement is the culmination of an enormous amount of work by many dedicated Te Arawa over many, many years," he said.
"We pay homage to our tupuna, many of whom have long passed on but who fought the good fight in their endeavours to see the lakes returned to our people."
Mr Rangiheuea described the signing of the settlement as a significant milestone for Te Arawa.
"Through this settlement Te Arawa will be able to develop and maintain effective and meaningful relationships with the lakes.
"It will increase our ability to participate in a positive manner in both the local and national community. There is still a little bit of work of be done but now our people can move on."
Te Arawa negotiator David Tapsell said the negotiation process had not always been easy with public interests to be considered as well as the tribe's.
"Negotiations are always difficult but it is fair to say nothing good comes easy. It's always hard when it's a natural resources claim.
"There are public interests to balance up but I believe this settlement takes everyone's interests into account."
After consultation with iwi, 93 percent had voted in favour of the deal, said Mr Tapsell.
"We are convinced, taking all things into account and today's political climate, this is the best outcome."
Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said the return of the lakebeds meant Te Arawa and the rest of country could move into the future on a positive note.
Nothing would change for anyone wanting to use the lakes for recreational purposes, she said.
"This is the beginning of a new era for both Te Arawa and the Crown. The people of Te Arawa and the Rotorua lakes area now have certainty that Te Arawa's historical lakes claims have been settled and that public access to the lakes will continue.
"This agreement will strengthen the relationship between Te Arawa and the wider community and demonstrates how Treaty settlements can help us build a strong and confident nation," she said.
The 1922 Fenton Agreement, which saw ownership of the lakes vested in the Crown and Te Arawa granted cultural fishing rights and an annuity of ?6000, was "not justice done, but justice delayed", Ms Wilson said.
She handed over three trees for planting around the lakes, saying they would represent the growing relationship between Te Arawa and the Government.
"Te Arawa has never allowed its relationship with the lakes to be lost ... these trees will represent healing as they grow," said Ms Wilson.
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said reaching an agreement had not always been easy, with strong opposition at times, but the tribe should be applauded for reaching "this historical milestone".
"This has been a year of testing times," he said. "These testing times have highlighted the constructive, amicable and sheer courageous manner in which these negotiations have progressed, with a real effort to understand, respect and provide for a broad myriad of sometimes complementary, and sometimes competing, interests."
The Government had not always recognised and protected in law Maori customary values to resources but that was changing, said Mr Horomia.
"New Zealand owes much of its wealth and its lifestyle to lands and natural resources once held by Maori. This is clearly evident in the extensive recreational and commercial use of the Te Arawa lakes.
"Where such resources have been acquired or managed in ways that breach the Treaty ... the Crown has accepted a moral obligation, rather than a legal obligation, on behalf of all New Zealanders to put right those wrongs to the fullest extent that it possibly can.
"In doing so, the Crown hopes to lay the basis for a positive and constructive future relationship with Maori," he said.
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