Te Whakatōhea Iwi descended on Wellington in the hundreds to witness the final reading of the Whakatōhea Settlement
Claims Bill.Photo/Supplied
Arihia Tuoro, Chair of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea, emphasised the significance of this event and its implications for
future generations.
“Today marks a historic moment for our people. We acknowledge the courage and commitment of our tīpuna and whānau that
have made this day possible. It is because of their perseverance we reach this historic day, and where we can now focus
on the future that we can chart for our mokopuna, and together we will thrive”.
The Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill aims to redress the breaches of the Crown against Te Whakatōhea, including
significant land confiscations and military actions against its people. The settlement package includes financial
compensation, water space, cultural redress, and the return of sites of significance.
The Bill also involves the dissolution of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, initially established in 1952 under the
Māori Trust Board Act of 1955. The Trust Boards assets will be consolidated into those of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
Over the span of almost seven decades, the Trust Board has seen remarkable growth, transforming its initial £20,000.00
investment into a thriving enterprise with a total equity of $60m. Its diverse portfolio includes ventures in dairy,
horticulture, and the innovative aquaculture sector.
Robert Edwards Chair of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board reflected on the journey and the future, as the Trust Board
transitions under the stewardship of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea.
“The journey of the Whakatohea Māori Trust Board has been remarkable, evolving from humble beginnings to a substantial
enterprise. This transition marks a new era for Te Whakatōhea. The stewardship of Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea will build
on the legacy of the Trust Board, ensuring our investments continue to thrive. Our aquaculture investments have long
been a cornerstone of our economic wellbeing. With the settlement as a catalyst, we hope these foundations will continue
to grow and support the prosperity of Te Whakatōhea whānau whānui”.
Following the third reading, the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill will receive Royal Assent, officially enacting it
into law. This will initiate the implementation phase, ensuring that Whakatōhea can begin to realise the benefits and
opportunities promised by the settlement.
About Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea
Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea is the post settlement governance entity that will receive the settlement assets on behalf
of ngā uri o Te Whakatōhea.
www.tewhakatohea.co.nz
Te Whakatōhea are based in the Eastern Bay of Plenty centred around the town of Ōpōtiki. Their collective prosperity is
recorded in their historical account agreed with the Crown:
“Whakatōhea soon realised the advantage of controlling the transport in the Auckland trade. Beginning in the early
1840s, they acquired their own fleet of … schooners and cutters. At least 22 ships were registered to Whakatōhea owners,
comprising a significant proportion of the New Zealand registered vessels over that period.”
The Waitangi Tribunal found that the grievances of Te Whakatōhea are “among the worst Treaty breaches in this country’s
history”. The historical account further states:
“The confiscation caused utter devastation for Whakatōhea, who lost everything between Ōhiwa Harbour and the Waiaua
River including ‘all the flat and useful land’, the rich alluvial soils surrounding Ōpōtiki and Pākōwhai. The Crown
confiscated around 18 of the approximately 21 miles (approximately 29 of 34 km or 86%) of the Whakatōhea coastline. …
The Crown destroyed Whakatōhea homes, villages and took taonga. The Crown also took control of the infrastructure
Whakatōhea had built up in their rohe, including ships, roads and bridges. The Crown sold looted Whakatōhea property to
Pākehā buyers, including horses, cattle and the complete machinery of the Ngāti Ira flour mill. The raupatu, along with
the Crown violence and looting that preceded it, largely destroyed the thriving economy that Whakatōhea had built up
since the 1840s.”