Agreement in Principle signed with Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua
The Crown has signed an Agreement in Principle to settle historical Treaty of Waitangi claims with Rangitāne o Wairarapa
and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.
“Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua are virtually landless today due to the actions and omissions of
the Crown. As a result, since the nineteenth century, they have struggled to maintain their identity and connection with
their own land and cultural traditions,” he said.
The Agreement in Principle sets out a broad redress package to settle the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the
iwi and includes financial redress of $32.5 million and the transfer of seven Crown owned sites of cultural significance
to the iwi.
“This agreement will help acknowledge the injustices of the past and restore the relationship between the Crown and
Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua. It will also assist the iwi to rebuild their economic base,
cultural strength and identity,” Mr Finlayson said.
Under the agreement, Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre Reserve and Scenic Reserve will be transferred to the iwi who
will then gift the areas back to the Crown and the people of New Zealand. Pukaha Mount Bruce is the last substantial
remnant of the great forest Te Tapere Nui o Whātonga (Seventy Mile Bush) which once covered much of northern Wairarapa
and the Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua districts. It is spiritually and culturally significant to Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne
o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua.
The Crown and Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua will now begin negotiations towards a deed of
settlement, which will set out the redress in detail. Once a draft of the deed of settlement is completed, members of
Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki Nui-ā-Rua will have the opportunity to ratify it. If ratified, the deed of
settlement will be signed and legislation introduced into Parliament to implement the settlement.
A copy of the Agreement in Principle is available on the Office of Treaty Settlements’ website www.ots.govt.nz
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