June 08, 2020
Video hui catches hapū on the hop
The way the crown is trying to clear some of the last of the historic treaty claims in the central North Island has upset some hapū in the Taihape area.
Ngāti Hinemanu me Ngāti Paki Heritage Trust chair Jordan Haines-Winiata is complaining Te Arawhiti – Office of Māori Crown Relations supported Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust to hold a video conference hui during the level 4 lockdown in April.
The hui meant Mōkai Pātea was able to push ahead with advertising a draft deed of mandate in May.
Mr Winiata says such a hui needed to be held face to face, as the majority of their claimants were elderly kaumātua who were confined to their bubbles at the time and technology challenged.
He says the crown’s large natural groupings policy means Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki claims are being lumped in with Mōkai Pātea but they have no say at the table.
"Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki, who have been in existence for over 200 years on the land, always seems to be always chasing our tail because we are always running after the fact. What happened during COVID-19 was just another example of a grouping of iwi and hapū and the crown holding hands to rush through a process that continues to oppress. It is hugely concerning," he says.
Mr Haines-Winiata says the crown is taking a first up, best dressed approach, supporting one group of claimants over another.
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