Listen Now: 
November 28, 2022
Ngāti Mutunga moves Wharekauri claim ahead
Adam Gifford
Posted On November 28, 2022
After six years of negotiation, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri has signed an Agreement In Principle with the Crown towards a settlement of its historic claims.
Lead negotiator Tom McClurg says the iwi is keen to establish a proper Treaty of Waitangi-based relationship with the Crown that has not existed since the annexation of Wharekauri/Chatham Islands in November 1842.
The AIP acknowledges unreasonable behaviour during the 1842 annexation and the profound failure on the part of the Crown to pay respect to the mana and te tino rangatiratanga of Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri.
Mr McLurg says the way the settlement process has been managed has caused significant tension within the community, with the Moriori settlement being fast-tracked despite an agreement to negotiate both concurrently.
He says while the proposed settlement doesn’t meet all Ngati Mutunga’s needs – it is heartening to see a renewed focus on relationship building and manaakitanga.
RELATED NEWS
