September 29, 2019
Parallel track for Whakatōhea settlement
The Government intends to negotiate a settlement of Whakatōhea’s historical claims while allowing a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into those claims to go ahead.
The Ōpōtiki-based iwi has been in settlement limbo after rejecting an offer more than 20 years ago, and a more recent $100 million offer has been held up because of a mandate challenge.
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says a vote last year confirmed a majority of Whakatōhea people want the crown to deliver on the 2017 agreement in principle, but they also want the change to tell their stories to the tribunal.
He says they will be able to take part in the tribunal’s North East Bay of Plenty Inquiry.
The tribunal will be able to make findings and recommendations about contemporary claims affecting Te Whakatōhea, but it cannot make recommendations on the historical claims.
The Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust welcomed the parallel process.
Chair Graeme Riesterer says the crown’s decision is timely as elections for new hapū trustees open today, so iwi will now be able to vote for new trustees knowing it is these trustees who will have a say in future negotiations with the Crown towards a Deed of Settlement.
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