Tahu-Whaoa celebrate Tūwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill passing
The Ngati Tahu – Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust congratulates Ngāti Tūwharetoa on achieving its comprehensive Treaty of
Waitangi claims settlement.
The Ngāti Tūwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today.
Roger Pikia, chair of the Tahu-Whaoa Runanga Trust, says Tūwharetoa has just cause to celebrate after waiting since July
18 last year, when it signed a Deed of Agreement with the Crown, for the Bill to be passed ready for Royal Assent.
“With the passing of this Bill, the Crown has averted the creation of tension over mana whenua status over Rotokawa,” Mr
Pikia says. “The Environment Court also said it would not rule on mana whenua status for Rotokawa in a case earlier this
year. This reaffirms Tahu-Whaoa’s status as mana whenua.”
A commentary to the Bill by the Maori Affairs Committee says there was extensive consultation over the Lake Rotokawa Conservation
Area. In September 2016 the area was removed from the Bill by the Crown.
The committee’s commentary says advice received from the Office of Treaty Settlements was the overlapping claims process
has been robust and overlapping claims have been resolved to the Crown’s satisfaction.
ends