On behalf of Rangitāne Settlement Negotiations Trust

11 May 2016

Deed of Settlement reaffirms Rangitāne identity

Negotiators of the Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua Deed of Settlement, which was initialled at Parliament today, say a major step has been taken towards reaffirming the Rangitāne identity as an iwi within Wairarapa and Tamaki nui-ā-Rua.

The Rangitāne settlement covers the second-largest geographical area of any Treaty settlement to date, with redress sites spanning the region from North of Dannevirke, down to Tūrakirae (Cape Palliser) and encompassing the wider Wairarapa and Tamaki nui-ā-Rua regions. The settlement also includes financial redress of $32.5 million.

Lead Negotiator Jason Kerehi says this significant level of redress for an iwi with a relatively small population is testament to the extent of the loss suffered by the iwi.

“Our land and our identity are irrevocably linked,” says Mr Kerehi.

“Rangitāne was left virtually landless during the 20th Century as a result of the Crown’s Treaty of Waitangi breaches, and our iwi have struggled to maintain our connection to our land and culture ever since.

“Being acknowledged as the tangata whenua of this great region is vital; it empowers our iwi and reaffirms our mana.”

The Rangitāne settlement will return a number of key cultural sites which are located across the entire Rangitāne area of interest and will provide the opportunity to purchase commercial properties, including Ngāumu Forest.

The redress over the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre Reserve and Scenic Reserve – the last substantial remnant of the great forest Te Tapere Nui o Whātonga (also known to some as 70 Mile Bush) – is especially significant. Rangitāne will gift this taonga back for the people of New Zealand to reflect their tikanga of tuku whenua.

Negotiator and Trustee Mavis Mullins says today’s initialling ceremony is something the entire Wairarapa and Tamaki nui-ā-Rua region can celebrate.

“This settlement will give us the resources to add real value to our community, in ways we haven’t been able to before; it’s truly exciting,” she says.

For cultural advisor Manahi Paewai, the settlement provides an opportunity to address issues and build a strong future for Rangitāne and its wider communities.

“For so many years our people have struggled to maintain our connection with our land and culture; we have suffered serious socio-economic issues as a result.”

“It’s now time to move forward with purpose, so that future generations can prosper.”

The Trust will hold a series of hui over the coming two months for Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua to ratify the settlement.

ENDS

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