March 24, 2014
Uenuku hapu dragged into settlement
Hapu bordering the Whanganui River claim area are protesting that their claims are about to be swept into the Whanganui River settlement without being heard.
A delegation from the cluster of 26 Uenuku hapu intend to march on Parliament tomorrow.
The Whanganui River Maori Trust Board is due to initial a deed of settlement on Wednesday.
Uenuku chair Aiden Gilbert says the hapu, whose rohe runs east of the Whanganui River valley from Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu to the sea, haven’t been involved in the negotiations.
He says the hapu want to see what is in agreement and whether it will affect the kaitiakitanga of the waterways and lands to which they belong.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd