It’s a big week for treaty claims, with parliament having a special session on Friday morning for the third readings of settlement bills for Te Atiawa, Taranaki Tuturu, Ngaruahine, Rangitane o Manawatu and Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa.
There’s also a local bill from New Plymouth MP Jonathon Young on behalf of New Plymouth District Council regarding the Pekapeka block at Waitara.
An attempt to buy that block sparked the First Taranaki War in 1860.
The bill will allow existing leaseholders to freehold their titles, while giving a few reserves to Te Atiawa.
That’s sparked Taranaki waahine to call a protest march in Waitara tomorrow demanding the return of the land to the iwi.
Labour MP Louisa Wall says the issue has generated considerable debate at council level, and now it’s a chance for parliament to consider those submissions.
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