MEDIA RELEASE7 August 2018

Ngāti Rahiri Tumtumu said today it refused to sign the Pare Hauraki Collective Deed of Settlement at Parliament last Friday, because to do so would be disingenuous. Only 5 of the 12 Iwi of Hauraki signed last week.

The majority did not sign for a number of reasons, but mainly to complete overlapping claims; to follow a proper tikanga process and to resolve tensions between Tauranga and Hauraki Iwi.

Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu Negotiator, Jill Taylor said: “As Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu we are committed to a tikanga process, we are committed to doing what is right, what is tikanga. We acknowledge our whakapapa to Ngati Ranginui. We will not sign until after the tikanga process has been completed.

“There are tensions and issues that need to be resolved; as evidenced by the protests by both Hauraki and Tauranga Iwi during the signing. We’re meant to be resolving grievances not creating new ones. Running off to Wellington to sign and then coming back to do a tikanga process is disingenuous and lacks credibility and mana,” she said.

On the 5 June a tikanga process was initiated by Ngāti Paoa at Wharekawa marae in Kaiaua. Iwi from Hauraki, Tauranga and Tāmaki attended to discuss a Tikanga process to help resolve the overlapping claims.

“Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu look forward to continuing the Tikanga process as it provides a genuine Maori solution to fix the trouble that has been created by the Crown’s flawed overlapping claims policy. Tikanga is important to us. When it comes to tikanga we will always take our direction and guidance from our Kaumatua,” Ms Taylor said.

The 5 Iwi who signed were: The 7 Iwi who did not sign were:

Ngāti Maru Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki

Ngāti Tamaterā Ngāti Hako

Ngāti Whanaunga Ngāti Hei

Ngāti Tara Tokanui Ngāti Paoa

Te Patukirikiri Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki

Ngāti Pukenga

Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu

ENDS

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