23 July 2019
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Chair Alan Skipwith and Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust Chair Leith Comer, sign the Deed of
Undertaking at Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust (Te Mana) and Tūhourangi Tribal Authority (TTA) have announced that they will jointly
negotiate with the Crown for the return of the lands at Waimangu and Otūkapuarangi. These lands have been at the centre
of many historical disputes between the two Iwi.
The signing of a Deed of Undertaking which took place at Waimangu Volcanic Valley on Monday 22 July, enables the two Iwi
to commence these negotiations and represents a unique opportunity for both Iwi: for Tūhourangi to have land returned
that was not available when it settled with the Crown in 2009; and for Ngāti Rangitihi to resolve overlapping claim
issues it has with Tūhourangi.
Te Mana Chairman Leith Comer says this is a significant milestone for Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi. It is an
opportunity for both Iwi to put the differences behind them, despite the mamae (hurt) of the past.
“The land we’re negotiating is the land we once shed blood over,” says Mr Comer.
“Now, through the Treaty Settlement process, we are choosing to work together for the return of land for the mutual
benefit of both Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi.”
TTA Chairman Alan Skipwith says the signing of the Deed marks an important chapter in the relationship between the two
Iwi.
“For us, it represents recognition between our two Iwi, of the strong whakapapa hononga and our shared whenua interests
at Tarawera,” says Mr Skipwith.
“Importantly we are able to accept and respect each other’s differing stories about our historical existence at
Tarawera.
“We are excited to be moving ahead together to ensure these culturally significant lands return to the hands of
Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, so that future generations can reconnect with their tribal lands.”
Both Iwi have a long-standing emotional connection with the area once world famous for the Pink and White Terraces.
These Terraces were destroyed in the devastating eruption of 1886, which caused a great loss of life and destruction of
much of the landscape.
“Annual activities to commemorate the 1886 eruption are always solemn, reflective and sad for both our iwi,” says Mr
Comer.
“These feelings only strengthen the resolve of Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi to work together to regain ownership of
these culturally significant lands.
“The inclusion and return of these lands by way of the Ngāti Rangitihi settlement would be a significant step towards
closure for both Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi,” says Mr Comer.
In 2017, Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi jointly purchased Waimangu Volcanic Valley Limited, an eco-tourism experience
south of Rotorua which includes sightseeing tours looking at the unique ecology, rare botany and fascinating geothermal
features of the Valley including steaming volcanic crater lakes.
Mr Skipwith says the signing of the Deed between the two Iwi shows an enduring commitment to work together, which will
enable Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi to continue developing the cultural, economic and environmental values of their
whenua, and lead the way in sustainable environmental tourism.
“We have shown through our partnership at Waimangu Volcanic Valley that we are good stewards of our whenua, and we are
looking forward to being able to extend this to those areas that are of cultural significance to us,” he says.
ENDS