March 03, 2013
Judgment offers hope for Te Ika Whenua
An Eastern Bay of Plenty hapū hopes the Supreme Court’s decision on water will force the Crown to come to the table.
Maanu Paul from Ngā Moewhare says successive governments have refused to negotiate despite a Waitangi Tribunal finding in 1998 that Te Ika Whenua tribes had a proprietary interest akin to ownership of the middle reaches of the Rangitaiki, the Whirinaki and Wheao Rivers.
He says while the Supreme Court refused to injunct the sale of shares in state owned power generators, last week’s judgment did recognise some Māori still had rights to water.
Mr Paul says the Government’s decision to exclude Ngā Moewhare from the Ngāti Manawa settlement means its claims to the river are still live.
The tribunal had recommended the Crown recognise Te Ika Whenua’s residual rights in the rivers and negotiate over their management and control, title and compensate them for the loss of title.
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