Treaty Claim Against Maori King Threatens Rift In Maoridom

A claim submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal this week challenges the right of the Tainui leader Tuheitia to use the designation “Maori King”. The claimant, Ngapuhi leader David Rankin, says that as long as Government Ministers, Government Departments and Crown agencies continue to refer to the Tainui leader as the “Maori King”, they are violating Article Two of the Treaty, which promises that the Crown will protect each tribe’s sovereignty.

“How can the sovereignty of Ngapuhi be protected”, asks Mr Rankin, “if the leader of another tribe is said to be our king? This is clearly a violation of our tino rangatiratanga.”

Mr Rankin says the matter is made worse by the fact that the King Movement is a “relic of nineteenth century Pakeha colonialism” as he put it. “Tuheitia is not a traditional Maori leader at all. He hasn’t even got the Reo [Maori language]. He is someone who pretends to be the King of Maori, which we find offensive”.

Mr. Rankin’ claims that his ancestors were just as hostile to the Kingitanga, and that it is only in recent generations that Ngapuhi and other iwi have “dropped their guard” as he put it.

“This is not about what Tuheita wants to call himself. That’s his problem”, says Rankin. “ But when he pretends to be our king, then he needs to show his mandate for that or else change his title. And as far as the Government is concerned, they have no right to use the term “Maori King.” Tuheitia could be called the “King of Huntly
” perhaps. I could live with that”.

ENDS

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