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Kia ora e te whānau,
 

It has been a busy few months as we continue to work towards finalising our Deed of Settlement with the Crown to ensure a brighter future for our people. It is timely that we provide you with an update on the Waitangi Tribunal Hearings, as these are having an ongoing impact on the timeline and future of our settlement. 


An update on the Pouākani Remedies (Wai 85) and Wairarapa ki Tararua District Inquiry (Wai 863) 

The Trustees consider that the recent Waitangi Tribunal Hearings for the Pouākani Remedies (Wai 85) and Wairarapa ki Tararua District Inquiry (Wai 863) have made it evident that a resumption application for the lands in Mangakino has some prospect of success. Previously we have thought this was very unlikely for a number of reasons.

It has been the position of the Settlement Trust that we do not support the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI) application to the Waitangi Tribunal because it relates to land outside our customary rohe. Although our whānau have lived there for a long time, it is not our traditional land. Our tikanga says a claim on the whenua of another iwi is not the right approach. Throughout our settlement negotiations, we have worked hard to ensure the mamae caused by the lands at Pouākani being taken is recognised in our comprehensive settlement, of which all our people, including WMI shareholders, are a part. 

While our position is still that we do not support the resumption application on this basis, our settlement is being put at risk through this process. The Waitangi Tribunal also asked our counsel during opening submissions whether the Settlement Trust was intending to be a potential recipient for any resumption order. After much kōrero amongst our Trustees and with legal advice, we have decided that it is in the best interests of our settlement to file our own resumption application. That way, if a decision is made that land is to be returned or redress provided, it may come to the Settlement Trust on behalf of everyone who has whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki Nui-a-Rua, not only WMI shareholders. 

If the resumption application is granted, we believe the Settlement Trust is the appropriate recipient of the land for the following reasons:

  • We are working closely with Raukawa, to preserve and promote our relationship with them, and observe our tikanga to respect their mana whenua at Mangakino. This includes active and ongoing discussions with Raukawa.  
  • The Settlement Trust is the right body to receive any returned lands on behalf of all those who whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki Nui-a-Rua. We hold the mandate for all 12 of the hapū who were specifically identified by the Tribunal as having interests in Wairarapa Moana. 

Our priority has always been, and remains, the protection of our settlement on behalf of our people. 

WMI’s resumption application is putting at risk the settlement we have achieved with the Crown. The Crown has indicated that it will not sign our Deed of Settlement, because of the fiscal risk in doing so. If some or all of the land is resumed, that would come at a significant cost to the Crown. 

We believe it is possible that if WMI’s resumption application is granted, there would be a significant impact on our current settlement. By doing nothing, we may risk everything, and we strongly believe it is in our best interests to also file a resumption application to mitigate this risk.


What are the next steps?

We continue to work towards achieving the best outcome we can for you, our whānau. This is our mandate as Trustees, and we are dedicated to this kaupapa. 

We are currently working through our next steps, which include discussions with Raukawa, the Crown, and the Waitangi Tribunal.

We shortly expect to file a resumption application with the Waitangi Tribunal, and then for further hearings to take place. We will advise you of these dates and times. From here, we expect the Waitangi Tribunal to make its recommendations around March or April 2020. 

We will keep you informed through hui, pānui, īmēra and social media updates. We always welcome your kōrero and pātai and you can contact the Settlement Trust or any of your Trustees at any time to discuss. 
 

What is a resumption application?

A resumption application is a request to the Waitangi Tribunal to make a binding recommendation to the Crown that it return certain land to Māori ownership.  
 

An update on the Wairarapa ki Tararua District Inquiry (Wai 429)

The Ngaūmu Forest resumption application, applied for by both the Tūmapūhia-ā-Rangi hapū and the Settlement Trust, is also currently being considered by the Waitangi Tribunal following hearings. We are currently working through mediation options with the hapū group, as recommended by the Tribunal. 

Once we have updates to share on the outcome of these hui, or recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal, we will share them with you. 

For more information on our journey to this point, including further information on the Waitangi Tribunal Hearings visit our website.

Nākū noa, nā

Robin Potangaroa
Chairman
 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Post
P O Box 756 
Masterton, 5840

Office
189 Queen Street Rear
Masterton, 5840


Freecall:
0800 KKWTNR (0800 559 867)

Email: admin@kkwtnr.org.nz

www.kkwtnr.org.nz

 

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