Statement on Kingitanga claim in wider Auckland

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has today joined with iwi from across the country to acknowledge the Koroneihana of Kingi Tuheitia and his leadership in the Kingitanga movement.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Deputy Chair, Ngarimu Blair, says the hapū was not surprised by the King’s announcement of a new claim in wider Auckland.

“We've had a long-standing relationship with Tainui and the Kingitanga; in fact we gifted land to them within Tāmaki in the 1830s.

“Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has maintained ahi kaa roa and lived in central Auckland for centuries.

“We acknowledge that Tainui and the Kingitanga has interests in parts of wider Auckland. However, we will be watching this claim and others very closely.

“Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has been very accommodating, constructive and flexible in its approach to achieve a settlement for wider Auckland. We just need to ensure new settlements don’t undermine the existing settlements of others.

“We will approach this claim based on tikanga and we look forward to meeting with the Kingitanga and the Crown soon,” says Mr Blair.

ENDS

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