Treaty Settlement Between Crown And Hauraki Iwi

Council’s position and purpose with regards to the district's Waitangi Treaty Settlement is to work with the Crown and the Hauraki Collective to ensure once final settlements are made, strong co-governance models are established, which will be of benefit to everyone, including the public.

One area of land currently under negotiation between the Hauraki Collective (Ngati Hei) and the Office of Treaty Settlements is Tangitarori Reserve (in three lots) in Pauanui. This is Crown-owned but managed by our Council. Only Crown owned-land can used in Treaty Settlements - not private property or Council land.

"We understand there's a long way to go before anything is finalised," says Mayor Glenn Leach. "One thing we are certain of however is that reserves will stay reserves and continued public access will remain as it's always been," says the Mayor.

"There will also be no impact on people's private property rights and we are keen to make sure third-party interests are also protected, especially with any public land between the beach and private homes".

The area in Pauanui currently under negotiation is of particular cultural significance to Ngati Hei iwi as a waka landing site, fishing area and where several settlements historically resided.

"Our Council has never been involved in direct negotiations between Ngati Hei and the Crown over Treaty claims involving Pauanui Beach," says Mayor Leach. "Neither has Council been involved in any negotiations to secure any Coromandel deals."

"We have third party involvement as the current managers of this specific section of beachfront land and estuary being offered as cultural redress in Pauanui," says Mayor Leach.

"We look forward in the future to working with the Ngati Hei and the other iwi in the Hauraki Collective to co-manage certain areas of interest, once negotiations are finalised with the Crown."

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