Press Release

Signing of the Ngati Manuhiri Deed of Settlement – 21/5/11, Omaha

Ngati Manuhiri is the first to sign a Deed of Settlement with the Crown in the Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) regional Treaty negotiations.

The Deed will be signed by Ngati Manuhiri and Crown representatives at Omaha Marae, Leigh on Saturday 21 May 2011.

This is a significant step to restoring the relationship between the Crown and our people, while acknowledging and recognising the grievances of the past and providing a pathway of opportunity for our future.

After initialling the Settlement on 2 March 2011, Ngati Manuhiri sent out information to the Hapu members and held information hui in Leigh, Auckland and Rotorua to inform the Hapu members about the contents of the settlement and the ratification process.

Voting on the Ngati Manuhiri Deed of Settlement, finished on 15 April 2011 and was ratified by
99.4 % of the voters and can now be signed by Hapu and Crown representatives (Minister Hon Christopher Finlayson) at Omaha Marae in Leigh on Saturday 21 May 2011.

Ngati Manuhiri have invited their Hapu members and special guests from other Iwi to participate in the Deed of Settlement signing ceremony and are expecting several hundred people to attend and to witness the signing. All those present will be given the opportunity to sign the Witness Book.

The Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister for Treaty Settlements, will be representing the Crown along with Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health and Officials from the Office of Treaty Settlements and Crown Law will also attending.

After the official Deed of Settlement signing ceremony, there will be a time for whanau (family members) to reconnect to each other and celebrate their Manuhiritanga – their uniqueness, history, customs and practices. This will include sharing of information about Nga Taonga o Ngati Manuhiri – all of the places that are important to Ngati Manuhiri. A booklet will be provided to each whanau.

ends

© Scoop Media