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February 17, 2020
Hapu push for place in Mangatu settlement
Waatea Team
Posted On February 17, 2020
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A group from Gisborne area iwi Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi has moved on to land on Mangatu Blocks to protest a settlement offer which would give it only a fraction of what it lost.
Member Tawera Tuhuri says the land controlled by one of the country’s largest Māori incorporations was originally the domain of Pera Te Uatuku, but it was claimed by others while he was imprisoned on Rekohu-Chatham Island for his support of Te Kooti.
While the Waitangi Tribunal acknowledged Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi as mana whenua, it was offered just 2 percent of the settlement.
She says younger members have launched the occupation because they are upset the crown is using their land to compensate Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whānau ā Kai and especially Mangatu Incorporation, which they believe sets a dangerous precedent.
"Their job is to make money for the shareholders and some of us are shareholders. However, we don't agree they can profit from lands stolen from our ancestors. We reject that offer. We reject corporate colonisation. We claim the right to stand on our whenua. We claim sovereignty and we will stay on our land for as long as it takes," Ms Tahuru says.
As well as the land, Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi wants a pardon for Pera Te Uatuku.
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