Thursday 25th April 2013

Mr. Tamati Kruger
Ms. Kirsti Luke

Mr Aubrey TeMara
Chairman – Tuhoe Waikaremoana Maori Trust Board

Mr Matt TePou
Chairman- Tuhoe Fishery Charitable Trust

Hon. Dr P. Sharples
Minister of Maori Affairs

Hon. C Finlayson
Attorney General
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Associate Minister of Maori Affairs

Mr C. Geeves
Principle Negotiator for Tuhoe Negotiations
Office of Treaty Settlements

Hon. Mr C Burrows
Associate Minister Of Justice

Rt. Hon. Prime Minister
Mr. J Keys

Tena koutou katoa,

Re: Tuhoe Settlement – The Ratification Document
Request to Delay 5 Resolutions Vote on Tuhoe Settlement:

Two serious matters have arisen which have not been able to be resolved in meetings and we therefore respectfully urge that the voting on the Tuhoe Settlement be suspended.

Firstly, the fifth Waitangi Tribunal Report on Tuhoe covering the Crown’s dealings with our Iwi concerning Waikaremoana has been completed but has not been made available for discussion. It is not clear why this report is being withheld and our concerns is that we are being asked to ratify a settlement which includes in, Resolution Four the winding up of the Waikaremoana Maori Trust Board and the transfer of its remaining assets to the Tuhoe Trust. For us this is putting the cart before the hoiho.

Tuhoe have come a long way and we, as much as any others within Tuhoe, wish our iwi to move forward together. However this is not possible if we leave Waikaremoana behind. Tuhoe needs to read and consider the Waitangi Tribunal Report on Waikaremoana before we are asked to consent to the settlement. This is not intended to show disrespect to our leadership or negotiators but there is too much bloody and painful history behind us in dealings with the Crown to leave this issue to be dealt with “ in good faith “ later.

Secondly, we are disturbed at the following in the settlement agreement under the heading
“ What impact will consolidation have on my current interests? “
“ Broadly we consider your all current interests are preserved or continue under the consolidated structure under Tuhoe – Te Uru Taumatua “

Later in the paragraph it says –

“ What will change is the administrative efficiency of your assets….”
We assume the first sentence should read “ consider all your current assets…” However it is unclear what the impact consolidation will have on whanau who retain title to their land and with the proposed changes in whanau representation we need time to take legal advice on the implications of this section.
It would be intolerable for intra-iwi confiscation our land at a later date on the basis of this settlement vote.

These are grave concerns and if there was another way to resolve them other than our proposal we would welcome that.

As this matter is urgent we request you respond as quickly as possible.

Naku noa

Victoria Mary Ann Albert
Wiki Cairns Whanau Trust

ENDS

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