Protesters fail to derail historic day for Te Arawa | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Protesters fail to derail historic day for Te Arawa
Eva Moke of Ngati Pikiao signs while Margaret Wilson watches.PICTURE:ANDREW WARNER (261104aw7)
By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
An eleventh-hour attempt at disruption by a small group of vocal protesters failed to halt the signing of a historic agreement between Te Arawa and the Government yesterday.
At Rotorua's Wahiao Marae, a group claiming to represent Te Arawa agreed with Government officials the terms of negotiation over the tribe's massive Central North Island claim.
The claim, formerly known as the Volcanic Interior Plateau claim, includes huge chunks of the Central North Island and has previously been speculated to be worth as much as $500 million.
However, it now looks likely to be a much smaller claim, following the official withdrawal of Ngati Whakaue from the process.
Ngati Whakaue is the single largest tribe within Te Arawa, representing more than a quarter of its members.
It has already announced it has lost confidence in the process and will seek settlement through the Waitangi Tribunal, instead of direct talks with the Government.
Protesters who interrupted the hui yesterday jostled with members of the Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa executive council, elected by Te Arawa members to represent them.
They objected to not being given the opportunity to pass on documents stating some hapu did not want to be represented by the council. Ngati Rangiwewehi had been given that opportunity earlier.
The protest followed an attempt this week by Wellington lawyer Donna Hall to seek an interim injunction in the High Court at Auckland on behalf of Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Rangiteaorere and Ngati Wahiao, to halt the signing. The bid failed but the court allowed the three hapu until Monday to file statements of claim.
A spokeswoman for the protesters, Te Runanga o Ngati Rangiteaorere chairwoman Kiri Potaka-Dewes, said all hapu had a right to have their claims dealt with individually and the group didn't recognise the council as its representative.
Ngati Whakaue was invited to rejoin the council but declined.
Ngati Rangiwewehi spokesman Te Ururoa Flavell handed a document to Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson stating the hapu would negotiate its own deal, despite being listed in the newly signed document.
The hapu's relationship with some of the Kaihautu executive had been soured and it had no confidence its claims and interests would be protected, Mr Flavell said.
"We are willing to talk directly with the Crown in the spirit of goodwill, openness and fair play. We hope we can do that in the near future."
However, Ms Wilson said it could be some time before the Government could hear individual claims. They would be dealt with once Te Arawa's claim was settled, she said.
"We have quite a lot of iwi now who are wishing to negotiate directly with the Crown. We will not put pressure on them but in saying that, we have a lot of competing demands."
Ms Wilson said the signing was a significant move forward for Te Arawa. "We can now address the grievances of the past and focus on building a stronger future together."
Council chairman Eru George said the signing signalled the wish of the majority of Te Arawa to put iwi grievances to rest early in the New Year.
"If we can achieve an agreement in principle settlement offer in the next year we will have honoured the memories of all those who have gone before us. They were determined that our history would be recognised and that we would eventually receive fair compensation from the Crown," he said.
"Only Te Arawa iwi and hapu and the Crown can reach a final settlement. By choosing this process we can reduce the time it takes to reach that and the sooner we do that the sooner our people will see benefits."
Te Arawa is the third Central North Island iwi to sign terms of negotiation with the Government. Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare signed this year.
An eleventh-hour attempt at disruption by a small group of vocal protesters failed to halt the signing of a historic agreement between Te Arawa and the Government yesterday.
At Rotorua's Wahiao Marae, a group claiming to represent Te Arawa agreed with Government officials the terms of negotiation over the tribe's massive Central North Island claim.
The claim, formerly known as the Volcanic Interior Plateau claim, includes huge chunks of the Central North Island and has previously been speculated to be worth as much as $500 million.
However, it now looks likely to be a much smaller claim, following the official withdrawal of Ngati Whakaue from the process.
Ngati Whakaue is the single largest tribe within Te Arawa, representing more than a quarter of its members.
It has already announced it has lost confidence in the process and will seek settlement through the Waitangi Tribunal, instead of direct talks with the Government.
Protesters who interrupted the hui yesterday jostled with members of the Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa executive council, elected by Te Arawa members to represent them.
They objected to not being given the opportunity to pass on documents stating some hapu did not want to be represented by the council. Ngati Rangiwewehi had been given that opportunity earlier.
The protest followed an attempt this week by Wellington lawyer Donna Hall to seek an interim injunction in the High Court at Auckland on behalf of Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Rangiteaorere and Ngati Wahiao, to halt the signing. The bid failed but the court allowed the three hapu until Monday to file statements of claim.
A spokeswoman for the protesters, Te Runanga o Ngati Rangiteaorere chairwoman Kiri Potaka-Dewes, said all hapu had a right to have their claims dealt with individually and the group didn't recognise the council as its representative.
Ngati Whakaue was invited to rejoin the council but declined.
Ngati Rangiwewehi spokesman Te Ururoa Flavell handed a document to Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson stating the hapu would negotiate its own deal, despite being listed in the newly signed document.
The hapu's relationship with some of the Kaihautu executive had been soured and it had no confidence its claims and interests would be protected, Mr Flavell said.
"We are willing to talk directly with the Crown in the spirit of goodwill, openness and fair play. We hope we can do that in the near future."
However, Ms Wilson said it could be some time before the Government could hear individual claims. They would be dealt with once Te Arawa's claim was settled, she said.
"We have quite a lot of iwi now who are wishing to negotiate directly with the Crown. We will not put pressure on them but in saying that, we have a lot of competing demands."
Ms Wilson said the signing was a significant move forward for Te Arawa. "We can now address the grievances of the past and focus on building a stronger future together."
Council chairman Eru George said the signing signalled the wish of the majority of Te Arawa to put iwi grievances to rest early in the New Year.
"If we can achieve an agreement in principle settlement offer in the next year we will have honoured the memories of all those who have gone before us. They were determined that our history would be recognised and that we would eventually receive fair compensation from the Crown," he said.
"Only Te Arawa iwi and hapu and the Crown can reach a final settlement. By choosing this process we can reduce the time it takes to reach that and the sooner we do that the sooner our people will see benefits."
Te Arawa is the third Central North Island iwi to sign terms of negotiation with the Government. Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare signed this year.
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