Ngai Te Rangi Treaty of Waitangi Claims

Mauao, with Karewa Island left and Mount Drury right, from Sulphur Point in about 1900

Ngai Te Rangi 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.  Ngai Te Rangi 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.  Ngai Te Rangi Iwi put forward the position that the post-raupatu breaches of the Treaty were devastating for Ngai Te Rangi Iwi.  As a result, Ngai Te Rangi 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.

In December 2006, the Waitangi Tribunal hearings were concluded with respect to the Tauranga Moana inquiry. A report of findings is currently being prepared by Tribunal researchers. It is forecasted that the report will be due at the end of 2008, or 2009. In anticipation of the report, a commitment by Ngai Te Rangi hapu and whanau to progress forward towards direct negotiations with the Crown has been recommended at a Hui a Iwi on 20^th December 2007.

Te Runanga o Ngai Te Rangi has been exploring the possibility of negotiating directly with the Crown for the settlement of historical grievances on behalf of the people of Ngai Te Rangi, rather than going through the Waitangi Tribunal process. The proposal to enter into direct negotiations now is motivated by a number of factors. Key amongst those factors is the cost and delay that will result in us continuing with the Tribunal process.

The first step in the progress to negotiations and settlement is mandate. The panui below outlines the first set of hui associated with seeking a mandate. Further detailed information will be available from Monday 17^th March 2008. Please encourage your whanau to attend these hui.

Treaty Settlement 

Treaty Settlements