August 24, 2015
Kingitanga claim to Auckland explained
Waikato-Tainui negotiator Tukoroirangi Morgan says the Government's attempt to sell off land in Auckland to housing developers has pushed its claims in the super city up the agenda.
There has been a sharp reaction from some quarters against the claim announced by King Tuheitia in Ngaruawahia last Friday, with Hauraki and Tamaki Collective chair Paul Majurey saying the claim process is almost complete.
But Mr Morgan says what's now being called the Kingitanga claim was lodged in 1987 by the Huakina Development Trust.
It was intended to cover the tribe's unresolved interests in the greater Auckland, dating back to the period when its ariki Potatau Te Wherowhero had homes throughout the isthmus.
"Five weeks ago I met the Minister of Treaty Negotiations and made it clear that our claim sits there and if they want to sell one acre in Auckland in relation to its housing projects, go ahead but we will take them to court because our issues remain unresolved. Everyone else has gone through the gate, the Tamaki Collective has done their bit, all of their hapu have gone through, but our hapu have never been the sum total of the Waikato interest," Mr Morgan says.
He says Tainui has always had a strong relationship with Auckland's Ngati Whatua o Orakei.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TUKOROIRANGI MORGAN CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzE3MTg=
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