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November 13, 2018
Majority of Whakatōhea votes to support Trust and progress Treaty settlement negotiations
Waatea Team
Posted On November 13, 2018
Media Statement
On behalf of Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust
13 November 2018
Majority of Whakatōhea votes to support Trust and progress Treaty settlement negotiations
The result of the Whakatōhea vote on the future of its Treaty of Waitangi claims has been announced today, with majority support for the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust (the Trust) and its continued work to achieve a comprehensive settlement for all of Whakatōhea.
A total of 2,726 valid votes were cast on Question 1 with 56.27% (1,534 votes) opting to support the Trust and its work.
The iwi-wide voting process was recommended by the Waitangi Tribunal following its inquiry into the Trust’s mandate to negotiate a Treaty settlement on behalf of Whakatōhea.
Trust Chairman Graeme Riesterer says the trustees are humbled by the support shown from Whakatōhea whānui, and he has acknowledged all who voted.
“On behalf of our team, I want to extend our heartfelt mihi to all those who voted in favour of the Trust and our mahi, and also to those who voted no, as this was an important opportunity for Whakatōhea to have a say. It’s also clear from the results that some hapū members voted in preference of a district inquiry.”
“This vote has tested the pulse of Whakatōhea in an open and transparent process. We have always said it is up to our whānau and hapū to decide what happens next, and now they have done so,” says Mr Riesterer.
All registered Whakatōhea hapū members (8,839 eligible voters) were asked to vote on whether they support the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust’s mandate, or whether they want Treaty negotiations stopped for a re-mandating process or a full Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry into the historical grievances of the iwi.
The Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and Minister for Māori Development will now consider the results before deciding whether or not the Crown will resume negotiations with the Trust or explore other options involving Whakatōhea.
“The Trust is however glad that there was a significant increase in numbers of Whakatōhea having their say on this, and that the majority have spoken out in favour of completing the settlement process,” says Mr Riesterer.
“We will await the decision by the Crown and we look forward to working this through with our iwi. We hope we can soon all move forward with unity and the shared goal of achieving great things for Whakatōhea.”
Full results of the vote can be accessed here.
ENDS
About Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust
Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust (the Trust) was set up in October 2016 following an election and appointment process and its mandate was recognised in December 2016. 91.6% of the iwi voted in favour of the Trust progressing a Whakatōhea Treaty settlement with the Crown and an Agreement in Principle was signed with the Crown in August 2017. The Trust’s vision is “Whāia to pae tawhiti kia tata. Whāia to pae tata kiā maua” – Pursue the distant pathways of your dreams so they may become your reality. It aims to successfully negotiate a Deed of Settlement with the Crown to secure a robust and enduring platform for Whakatōhea into the future. For more information on the Trust and its work, visit www.whakatoheapresettlement.org.nz.
About the Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry and vote
In November 2017, the Waitangi Tribunal held an urgent inquiry in Whakatāne to consider whether the Crown’s decision to recognise the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust Deed of Mandate was fair, reasonable and made in good faith. In its report published in April 2018, it found that the Crown failed to act reasonably, honourably and in good faith; that the Crown should not have recognised the Pre-Settlement Trust Deed of Mandate in December 2016; and that there should be a temporary halt in negotiations so Whakatōhea can vote on what happens next. In doing so, the Tribunal recognised the package in the Agreement in Principle (AIP) was worth preserving.
Whānau who affiliate to Whakatōhea were asked to vote on whether they support the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust to continue negotiations, or whether they want Treaty negotiations stopped for a re-mandating process, or a full Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry into the historical grievances of Whakatōhea.
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