Nga Iwi o Taranaki ready for talks on mounga claim

Representatives of the eight iwi of Taranaki have signed terms of  negotiations for a collective settlement of claims to Taranaki mounga.

Lead negotiator Jamie Tuuta says the status of the mountain was deliberately left out of the individual tribal settlements signed by nga Iwi o Taranaki.

He says it's an issue that unites the whole confederation, and working on it will bring the iwi closer together.

Underpinning the claim is Te Mana o Taranaki, or recognition of Taranaki as the ancestor of the people, and Te Mana o te Kahui

"Te Mana o te Kahui basically speaks to the fact that for far too long our people, as a consequence of crown actions, have not been in a position to actively care for our ancestor. Secondly, the crown has failed to provide for and protect our special relationship with our tupuna," Mr Tuuta says.

A settlement is likely to require resourcing to tackle resource protections issues like pest control, as well as assistance to build the capacity of the tribes to play an active role in whatever future arrangements are made for Taranaki mounga.

FULL INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE TUUTA

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