THE TREATY CLAIMS

Ngati Rangiteaorere Claims Committee

Ngati Rangiteaorere Claims Committee (NRCC) committee members were elected in 2003 by a well attended hui-a-iwi. The hui sought to have committee members who belong to principle Koromatua families represent Ngati Rangiteaorere’s interests in the claims settlement process with the Crown. On 22 July 2009 the Crown accepted and recognized this mandate. Members of the NRCC are:

• Tai Eru Morehu - Co Chair and representative of te whanau o Wihau
  
• Kereama Pene - Co Chair and representative of te whanau  Atutahi Te Kiri Karamu
  
• Herbie Hapeta Jnr - representative of te whanau Hapeta te Hau te Horo
  
• Donna Hall - representative of te whanau  Te Ngahoa Te Kiri Karamu
  
• Rangi Easthope - representative of te whanau  Rangitarahae
  
• Wiremu Atetini Kingi - representative of te whanau  Atetini
  

The NRCC have clear and well-understood lines of accountability. NRCC reports to the Hapu at open Hui at Mataikotare Marae. In addition there is regular reporting at Koromatua Whanau and Governance level.

The claims of Ngāti Rangiteaorere were partially heard and reported on in 1990 by the Waitangi Tribunal. WAI 32 was settled in 1993 with the transfer of ownership of “Te Ngae Farm” to Ngāti Rangiteaorere.

The Rangiteaorere Approach

The Ngāti Rangiteaorere approach to settlement of its claims is different to that of all other Te Arawa Hapu, in that Rangiteaorere through its Koromatua whanau retained ownership of most of its’ significant taonga assets despite Crown attempts to purchase and alienate. These maps indicate the boundary area of Ngati Rangiteaorere’s claims.

Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s claims fall into two categories;

SPECIFIC BREACHES;

Te Ngae Farm Trust.
This land was returned in the 1990s as a partial settlement of Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s grievances. Rangiteaorere would like to impose its own protection on the block, and MLC jurisdiction be removed as part of final settlement. 

Mataikotare Marae – restoring rangatiratanga
Again the Maori Land Court administers the marae under general rules which do not take into account the fact that this marae is uniquely a Ngāti Rangiteaorere taonga.  A Koromatua system for the appointment of marae trustees reflects the families who gifted the land for the marae, and to remove Mataikotare marae from the control of the Maori Land Court.  

Lake Rotokawau
Lake Rotokawau was not included in the Te Arawa Lakes settlement because Rangiteaorere maintained ownership of this lake. Rangiteaorere plan to review development opportunities on the lake whilst maintaining environmental quality.  We wish to formalise protection of the skyline and surrounds of the lake and to undertake a planting programme, to keep the lake in its pristine, historic beauty.

Waiohewa stream
This is another taonga of Rangiteaorere and we need to ensure it is not being degraded, and that it will be cleaned up and protected from abuse. 

Tikitere Geothermal and Tourism Field
Ngāti Rangiteaorere koromatua whanau seek to develop the Tikitere Geothermal and Tourism field. We consider that there are Crown barriers which have prevented the development of this resource to date, as well as allowed others to tap into and exploit the thermal field. This is a key cultural and economic resource. No one should be able to exploit it except Rangiteaorere, and we must be the definitive guardians who determine the balance between commercial use (as appropriate) and continued sustainability and cultural integrity of the resource.  

Okataina 12
Ngāti Rangiteaorere koromatua whanau seek the return of their shares in Okataina 12 or alternatively that the Department of Conservation develop a memorandum of understanding with Ngāti Rangiteaorere on management of those lands which are included in the wider Okataina Reserve. 

Okataina Reserve
Ngāti Rangiteaorere seek for the bush lands adjoining Okataina Reserve to be made rates free and the rating methodology for the developed land to take into account the collective ownership nature of a land title, access issues and associated land values. 

Mokoia Island
Trustees seek that the Rotorua District Council provide Mokoia Island trustees with a permanent landing site on the Lakefront main jetty for Island’s ferry or passenger needs; and a jetty outside Mataikotare Marae.  

Tumu Kaituna 14 Lands
The Hapu has interests along with Ngāti Rangiwewehi and others at Tumu Kaituna. We are looking to review those interests and consider their appropriate development as part of a settlement package and pathway forward. 

Seek monetary compensation for the loss of our economic base and lands and any other costs incurred. 

A full apology from the Crown for the prejudicial breaches of the Treaty suffered by Ngāti Rangiteaorere. (preferably written on back of large cheque). 

SYSTEMIC BREACHES

These are important because many Crown breaches arose from the creeping imposition of Crown power and systems.  As part of the settlement process we will reconnect with the broader balance of our customary interests, which went beyond Whakapoungakau and Mokoia Island. We will secure compensation from the Crown for breaches of those interests, and reestablish our cultural connections with the wider rohe across which Rangiteaorere interests traditionally lay.

Systemic breaches against Ngāti Rangiteaorere can be described as resulting from:

> Crown actions in precipitating and perpetuating the New Zealand wars, including the loss of life, disruption, tribal division and general prejudice to Ngāti Rangiteaorere, who fought on both sides of the war;

> The imposition of Crown political control in the rohe of Ngāti Rangiteaorere and surrounds without negotiations with, or the consent of, Ngāti Rangiteaorere;

> Breaches of the Fenton Agreement, including the failure to allow Maori to determine their own title, the direct refusal to act in accordance with awards so made by the Komiti nui, and failure to engage in good faith in leasing rather than purchase of land;

> The loss of Ngāti Rangiteaorere tribal lands and resources through effects of the individualized European title

> The targeting of tourism assets and other major economic assets by the Crown, which was bound to and did result in ongoing and long term poverty for Ngāti Rangiwewehi;

> Crown failure to assure that proper prices were paid for land by private interests once the Crown monopoly was removed;

NGATI RANGITEAORERE CLAIM POSITION REGARDS CNI FORESTRY

Rangiteaorere Claims to Crown Forestry Lands are important and were pursued at the hearing in the CNI Inquiry as Wai 1452. The basis for Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s claim to a direct forestry interest is shown amongst other things, in the Mana o Te Whenua o Te Arawa Customary Tenure Report dated March 2005. A summary o Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s claim to the interests throughout the Rotorua Patetere Paeroa Block is contained there at pages 86 - 87. The report summarises the judgment from page 118, and at 119 specifically accepts Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s occupation on parts of the Rotorua Patetere Paeroa block. This clear interest did not result in any awards in the block and Rangiteaorere says the failure to recognise its interest is due to Judge Fenton’s bias in favour of Ngāti Whakaue. Ngāti Rangiteaorere’s disentitlement at the primary hearing of Rotorua Patetere Paeroa meant it had no standing to participate in subsequent hearings, including hearings of those parts of the block upon which Crown Forestry land sits (e.g. Kaitao and Rotohokahoka etc.). Ngati Rangiteaorere shares much in common with Ngati Rangiwewehi in this respect to the claim.  For these reasons, Ngati Rangiteaorere have elected to work with Ngati Rangiwewehi and Tapuika to achieve settlement.

Partial Settlement

In December 2008, Ngati Rangiwewehi and Tapuika achieved a signing of Terms of Agreement with the former Labour led Government. They in turn agreed to join Rangiteaorere into their collective and as a result we have become players in a three party cluster of iwi. We call ourselves Nga Pumanawa o te Toko Toru (TTT)

TTT operates on the basis that all three tribes are independent and autonomous. TTT tribes have agreed to work together to achieve successful negotiations for each themselves and other.  Ngati Rangiwewehi leads the trilogy and is effectively the umbrella tribe facilitating access to CFRT funds.

Deed of Mandate  – July 2009

Mandated Body & Governance

The Ngāti Rangiteaorere Claims Committee (NRCC) was strongly mandated in June 2009 at two hui-a-hapu, the first being held at Mataikotare marae, Waiohewa and the second in Kia Maia Hall, Mangere, Auckland. NRCC is the body that is authorized to progress the claims on behalf of the tribe. This Deed of Mandate covers all the Historical claims of Ngati Rangiteaorere and its members and is intended to be a;

 “… comprehensive settlement of all the constituent Iwi and Hapu of Ngati Rangiteaorere’s historical Treaty of Waitangi Claims.”

This includes all registered or unregistered Waitangi Tribunal Claims. The specific claims of Ngati Rangiteaorere are;

WAI 32           Te Ngae Farm Trust
WAI 153         Geothermal Claim
WAI 564         Whakapoungakau 3B1B – Lake Rotokawau
WAI 936         Lake Rotorua
WAI 1200       Central North Island Enquiry
WAI 1296
WAI 1374
WAI 1452       Crown Forestry Lands