Bitter disappointment and frustration at negotiation halt

Media statement 21 October 2010

For immediate use

The Chief Negotiator for Ngati Koata, Roma Hippolite, said he was bitterly disappointed that its treaty settlement negotiations have been suspended by the Crown.

Ngati Koata is one of four iwi that formed a grouping under the banner of Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga to negotiate and settle Treaty of Waitangi Claims.

The other three are Te Atiawa ki Te Tau Ihu, Ngati Tama ki Te Tau Ihu and Ngati Rarua. Those four iwi then agreed to Wakatu Incorporation joining on behalf of the Wai 56 claimants – a claim relating to Nelson and Motueka Tenths lands.

The Crown announced yesterday that it was suspending negotiations with the collective because Wakatu Incorporation is taking the Crown to court over the Wai 56 claim. Roma Hippolite said he accepts that the Crown has always had a policy of not negotiating with parties that are suing them.

“But, it is hugely frustrating that the settlement negotiations of four iwi representing a large portion of the top of the South Island can be stopped dead by a group which is not an iwi and has issues that date back less than forty years,” he said.

Mr Hippolite said he acknowledged that Wakatu Incorporation had some issues dating back to the 1970s which needed to be addressed.

“We have always acknowledged that and supported the efforts of Wakatu to get the Crown to sort those claims out.

“That’s why they were welcomed into the Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga group,” Mr Hippolite said.

However, he said that there are much bigger issues at play here. “All iwi in the top of the South island and their legitimate claims predating the 1970’s could be affected by this court case.

“We hope that the Crown and Wakatu Incorporation can resolve their issues and allow iwi to settle their claims” he said.

Ends

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