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A hui in Tauranga today has brought together Ngai Te Rangi, Auckland’s Ngati Whatua Orakei and Waikato Tainui discuss the Government’s approach to settling overlapping claims.
Ngai Te Rangi has objected to the crown acknowledging Hauraki may have an interest in Tauranga Harbour.
Ngati Whatua spokesperson Ngarimu Blair says that’s similar to issues in Tamaki Makaurau where Orakei is challenging land transfers in central Auckland to Ngati Paoa and the Hauraki-based Matutuahu collective.
"We fully support Ngai Te Rangi and will work with them to ensure their mana is upheld. It’s deeply concerning that the Government is taking the same flawed approach in Tauranga as it is in Tamaki Makaurau.
"The way Treaty claims are currently being settled is pitting iwi against iwi and at times, hapu against their own iwi, and that is clearly wrong.
"Unfortunately, we are also seeing some iwi taking advantage of the Crown’s approach and overreaching into areas where their interests are not strong,” Mr Blair says.
The Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed initialled on December 22 says the crown recognises the iwi of Hauraki have interests in Tauranga Moana which are of great spiritual, cultural, customary, ancestral and historical significance to them.
It says any cultural redress in relation to that particular claim is to be confirmed or developed in separate negotiations.
Hauraki wants some say in the co-governance and integrated management of the catchment, harbour and coastal marine areas of Tauranga Moana.
The deed says the crown acknowledges Hauraki will have a seat at the table when any arrangements for Tauranga Moana are negotiated.
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