MEDIA RELEASE7 August 2018
Ngāti Rahiri Tumtumu said today it refused to sign the Pare Hauraki Collective Deed of Settlement at Parliament last
Friday, because to do so would be disingenuous. Only 5 of the 12 Iwi of Hauraki signed last week.
The majority did not sign for a number of reasons, but mainly to complete overlapping claims; to follow a proper tikanga
process and to resolve tensions between Tauranga and Hauraki Iwi.
Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu Negotiator, Jill Taylor said: “As Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu we are committed to a tikanga process, we
are committed to doing what is right, what is tikanga. We acknowledge our whakapapa to Ngati Ranginui. We will not sign
until after the tikanga process has been completed.
“There are tensions and issues that need to be resolved; as evidenced by the protests by both Hauraki and Tauranga Iwi
during the signing. We’re meant to be resolving grievances not creating new ones. Running off to Wellington to sign and
then coming back to do a tikanga process is disingenuous and lacks credibility and mana,” she said.
On the 5 June a tikanga process was initiated by Ngāti Paoa at Wharekawa marae in Kaiaua. Iwi from Hauraki, Tauranga and
Tāmaki attended to discuss a Tikanga process to help resolve the overlapping claims.
“Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu look forward to continuing the Tikanga process as it provides a genuine Maori solution to fix the
trouble that has been created by the Crown’s flawed overlapping claims policy. Tikanga is important to us. When it comes
to tikanga we will always take our direction and guidance from our Kaumatua,” Ms Taylor said.
The 5 Iwi who signed were:The 7 Iwi who did not sign were:
Ngāti Maru Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
Ngāti Tamaterā Ngāti Hako
Ngāti Whanaunga Ngāti Hei
Ngāti Tara Tokanui Ngāti Paoa
Te Patukirikiri Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki
Ngāti Pukenga
Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu
ENDS