August 31, 2012
Kapiti Island heading back to Ngati Toa
The chief executive of Ngati Toa Rangatira, Matiu Rei, says the return and gift back of Kapiti Island is a reflection of the importance of the motu to not just the iwi but to the nation.
The island will briefly be returned to the Porirua-based tribe as part of its historic treaty settlement.
Mr Rei says Kapiti, when 19th century leader Te Rauparaha made his home, was central to the deal.
“You know it’s a really important for Ngati Toa that we be recognised as the last customary owners of the island and that we will get a significant part of the island returned to us and we will also have kaitiakitanga of the burial caves and we will also have a role of setting up a management strategy for the whole island so it is a really significant part of our redress,” he says..
Ngati Toa will also get Taputeranga in Island Bay and other central Wellington properties, a move that caused Taranaki Whanui to mount an unsuccessful 11th hour High Court challenge to yesterday’s initialling of the settlement deed.