27 January 2016
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei says no to TPPA

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Chairman, Piripi Davis, says the Auckland-based hapū is strongly opposed to the TPPA, and believes it will be detrimental to the Nation’s sovereignty and wellbeing.

The hapū, which is mana whenua to the central Auckland isthmus, says it will not take part in welcoming ceremonies for TPPA officials when they visit the City on February 4.

“There has been a lot of anger and mistrust voiced about the TPPA by our whānau and we agree with them,” says Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Chairman, Piripi Davis.

“The TPPA undermines the national sovereignty of New Zealand, and is likely to give increased rights to multi-national corporations. We cannot allow our whenua and moana to be endangered through this deal.

“We are trying to do as much as we can to raise the economic and social wellbeing of our whānau. We believe the TPPA will only make this goal more difficult.”

Mr Davis also identified commercialisation of indigenous flora and indigenous
knowledge related to traditional uses of plants as a potential threat.

“Our people take pride in our relationship with the whenua. In just over a week we will invite all of Auckland to our home at Bastion Point to share Waitangi Day. This will be a chance for us to showcase the beautiful whenua we share with Auckland City,” says Mr Davis.

“We want to protect the knowledge passed from our kuia and kaumātua and ensure it is not exploited by overseas corporations. That’s why we are taking this stance.”

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei supported the Government’s recent successful bid to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“We hosted dozens of United Nations Ambassadors to our marae and welcomed them in a joyous occasion where they could experience our culture.

“We supported that Government initiative and MFAT because it was building relationships between peoples and nations. We cannot support or agree with this particular issue because in our view, the TPPA will harm not only our people but also New Zealand and its people overall,” says Mr Davis.

ENDS

© Scoop Media