Treaty of Waitangi Claim

Treaty of Waitangi Claims

Ngaiterangi Iwi has been involved in the progression of Treaty of Waitangi Claims for more than three decades. The first claim led to the development of the Tauranga Moana Trustboard, legislated through the Tauranga Moana Trustboard Act 1981. However, the overall settlement package was limited. The enactment of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 led to the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal. The Tribunal was sanctioned to hear grievances against the Crown by whanau, Hapu and Iwi across Aotearoa. Ngaiterangi Iwi and Hapu leaders submitted claims asserting that the Crown had breached the articles of the Treaty of Waitangi in a number of related areas.

Some of those claims were based on the:

Taking of land as part of the Tauranga Moana confiscations.

Taking of land at Matakana Island and Mt Maunganui for better utilisation for the Port of Tauranga.

Taking of lands throughout Tauranga for Water Works.

Taking of lands for Roads and Infrastructural Services.

Treaty of Waitangi - Waitangi Tribunal Claims (2005 - 2009)

The first Tauranga Moana claims hearing was facilitated by Pirirakau in 1997. Tauranga Moana hapu have also presented their evidence to the Tribunal members. Ngaiterangi Iwi completed the first phase of the Waitangi Tribunal process against the Crown in 2000. The Tauranga Moana Raupatu Report was launched at Hairini Marae in 2004. The findings of that report related only to the confiscation period. Ngaiterangi Iwi put forward the position that the post-raupatu breaches of the Treaty were devastating for Ngaiterangi Iwi. As a result, Ngaiterangi Iwi has taken a lead role in the preparation and provision of evidence against the Crown as it relates to post 1886 issues such as urbanization, public works takings, land alienation and local government issues.

Thus far, Ngaiterangi Iwi is currently mid way through the stage two hearings process. In 2006, five weeks of hearings will be held to progress the evidence submitted by Ngaiterangi Iwi. The final week of closing submissions is scheduled for December 2006.

A new webpage for the Treaty of Waitangi Claims Negotiations has now been set up. Please click here.

For more information please contact the Ngaiterangi Iwi Claims Project Manager on 07 575 3765