Century old wrong, finally put right

The Māori Party are celebrating the passage of the New Zealand Mission Trust Board (Ōtamataha) Empowering Bill, which finally puts right, a century old wrong that alienated Ngāti Tapu and Ngai Tamarāwaho from their land.

“150 years ago, land in central Tauranga was confiscated from tangata whenua by the Crown as a consequence of their participation in the battles of Pukehinahina and Te Ranga. Historic battles which are a part of the New Zealand land wars,” says Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

“Once confiscated, the land was sold on by the Crown to the Church Mission Society and later transferred to the New Zealand Mission Trust Board, who in conjunction with the hapū of Ngāti Tapu and Ngai Tamarāwaho have worked to transfer the land interests back.”

“Tonight the Bill, which enables this transfer to happen formally, went through its final reading. It is an important milestone for the hapū and iwi of Tauranga, but it is also an important part of the history of our nation.”

“This year we have commemorated the 150th anniversaries of battles that took place as part of the land wars. Ōrakau, Pukehinahina, and soon we will be going to Te Ranga, to commemorate that battle in which both Māori and Pakeha lives were lost,” says Te Ururoa Flavell.

“The consequences of the battles that took place at Pukehinahina and Te Ranga, and indeed of the land wars generally, did not end when the battle ended. There is a wider history that needs to be remembered, and I am so pleased that I was able to sponsor this Bill as a Member of Parliament.”

“I acknowledge the hapū, the whānau, and indeed the tīpuna who have played a role in the story of this Bill, and I also acknowledge the members of the New Zealand Mission Trust Board and the Ōtamataha Trust who fought hard to do the right thing by these hapū and the people of Tauranga.”

ENDS

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