Rangitāne signs Deed of Settlement with the Crown - 6 August 2016

On behalf of Rangitāne Settlement Negotiations Trust

6 August 2016

Rangitāne signs Deed of Settlement with the Crown

Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua have today signed their Deed of Settlement with the Crown, at an official ceremony held at Mākirikiri Marae in Dannevirke.

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 people, including Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Hon Christopher Finlayson, Members of Parliament, iwi members and Crown officials.

Minister Finlayson delivered the official Crown apology to the iwi, which was subsequently accepted through poignant kōrero from Rangitāne iwi leader, Manahi Paewai.

Negotiator and Trustee Mavis Mullins says it was a momentous occasion for the people of Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua.

“It is a day we will tell our mokopuna about, and they’ll tell their mokopuna – it’s the beginning of a brighter future for our people and our communities,” she says.

“Today’s ceremony has closed the door on our historical grievances and allowed us to move forward with purpose.

“It’s an incredible feeling knowing that future generations of Rangitāne will have no doubt as to who they are and where they have come from.”

The signing closes a long history of grievances for Rangitāne, and Lead Negotiator Jason Kerehi says the significant level of redress for the iwi is testament to the extent of the loss they suffered.

“This redress will allow us to rebuild, which will take time, but we are determined to ensure this Settlement works to benefit our people for generations to come,” he says.

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 and will return a number of key cultural sites to the iwi, along with the opportunity to purchase commercial properties including part of Ngāumu Forest.

Manahi Paewai says that being formally acknowledged by the Crown as the tangata whenua of the region is hugely significant for the iwi.

“It empowers our iwi and enhances our mana. For us, that is one of the greatest successes of all.”

ENDS

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