Small but important gain made by Ngāti Hikair

OTS and Ngāti Maniapoto have finally recognised Ngāti Hikairo boundaries, says Ngāti Hikairo member Gareth Seymour (see the attached map).

A claims map from OTS recognises the #manamoana of Ngāti Hikairo in Kāwhia – as the Waikato and Maniapoto areas are marked clearly to the north and South. The north side of the Moana is in Ngāti Hikairo territory.

It’s a form of vindication, as Ngāti Hikairo has been advocating for nearly ten years for the Crown to acknowledge their #manamoana and #manawhenua (see this link).

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansS_20080515_00001110/mahuta-nanaia-third-readings

This case is similar to the case in Tauranga Moana says Seymour who in the past has run wānanga reo with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hikairo. The wānanga included hīkoi to takahi the whenua of their rohe.

‘We note that Nanaia Mahuta recently asked for a tikanga-based approach in Tauranga moana. We seek the same in Kāwhia moana.’

It’s been a long journey but we appreciate this change by Maniapoto that reflects the shared love that we have for our moana.

http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/ngati-hikairo-want-apology-nanaia-mahuta-and-treaty-minister

Nanaia Mahuta calls for a tikanga based approach in Tauranga moana:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=196282

ENDS