Treaty deal for Wairarapa iwi
What has been described as a 160-year struggle by Kahungunu negotiators is almost over, as Crown and iwi representatives met in Wairarapa to begin the signing of a $93 million settlement.
At the Copthorne Hotel in Masterton on Wednesday, Crown chief negotiator Rick Barker and his team met Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-ta¯maki Nui a¯ Rua negotiators and tribe members to initial the deed of settlement that heralds a new beginning for the iwi. The settlement comprises $93m and 19,231 hectares of land.
The deed of settlement also includes the Crown’s acknowledgment of breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi towards Nga¯ ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-ta¯ maki Nui a¯ Rua, and a Crown apology.
Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-ta¯maki Nui a¯ Rua trust chairman and negotiator Ian Perry said though the two parties had not always seen eye to eye they had reached a conclusion and there was power in having got it settled.
The apology was important for all Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-ta¯ maki Nui a¯ Rua iwi and the initialling of the settlement was a crucial step which locked the process in prior to the settlement being ratified by the wider tribal group, he said.
Ratification will start next month with the actual signing pencilled in for sometime around July.
‘‘This is a tremendous stage to get to, it’s been an almost 160-year struggle, but now we can really see the opportunities for our people moving forward. It’s emotional to think of those that started this journey who are not here, but we have gotten there in the end.
‘‘We look forward to starting a new chapter in our relationship with the Crown, and building strong and reciprocal relationships with local and central Government as we turn our focus to the future for our people and our rohe.’’ Barker mentioned his admiration for former Labour MP Matiu Rata, of Nga¯ ti Kuri, and his role in pushing for the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal.
‘‘The Waitangi Tribunal was once called a toothless tiger by Muldoon, well I say now, some tiger, some teeth. We never lost our belief that we could get to a place where we could get this done.
‘‘This settlement will not just be great for Kahungunu, but for everyone, because when Ma¯ ori do well, we all do well.’’
A spokesman for the Office of Treaty settlements said a Deed of Settlements is the comprehensive and final agreement reached between the Crown and a claimant group as a result of negotiations.
‘‘The Deed of Settlement initialled between the Crown and the mandated representatives must be now be approved by the wider claimant group before it becomes binding. Once ratification is complete, the Deed can be signed. Legislation is then required to bring the settlement into effect.’’