Treaty Of Waitangi
Sovereignty, customary rights, responsibilities, kaitiakitanga and the intimate relationship of Ngaitai with its taonga and resources have been developed over several centuries. These were confirmed and guaranteed by the crown under the Māori version of Te Tiriti o Waitangi signed by Rangatira of Ngaitai, Putiki; Rangihuatake, te pāpā o Wiremu Kingi and Taku, te pāpā o Wetini Taku in Torere on June 11, 1840.
The Treaty of Waitangi and the Declaration of Independence are the founding documents of our nation and provides a framework for the way in which we as Ngaitai interact with the Crown and its representatives.
Waitangi Tribunal Claim
At a hui held at Torere Marae on 30th January 1988, reference is made to “the claim to the Waitangi Tribunal for the return of the land known as Torere Section 63 block from the Crown”, and subsequent minutes of the Ngaitai Tribal Authority/Ngaitai Iwi Authority Committee meetings often reference the need to advance the Waitangi Tribunal Claim. In 2008, NIA with the full support of the Ngaitai Kahui Kaumatua signaled to the Crown our intent to enter into direct negotiations with respect to the Foreshore and Seabed. In view of the Foreshore and Seabed legislation review, this is now on hold. However, Ngaitai are now formally seeking to progress our Treaty of Waitangi Wai 78 claim with the Crown.
Our respected Ngaitai Kaumatua, the late Arch Bishop Whakahuihui Vercoe set down the challenge in 1990 at Waitangi;
“You have not met your obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi to my people, you have marginalized my people, the waters of Waitangi weep”.
For Ngaitai this challenge will continue to reverberate until we achieve resolution of our Claim, and true partnership with the Crown in the spirit with which the Treaty was intended.
To this end NIA met with Te Kaunihera Pakeke on the 16th August 2009 to confirm their support to advance the claim and held a Hui a Iwi on the 27th September 2009 to inform the Iwi of the progress with our Treaty Claim. At that hui, the Board informed the Iwi that NIA are seeking reconfirmation as the Mandated Iwi Organisation for the purpose of negotiating all Treaty claims on behalf of Ngaitai. This resolution will be put to the Annual General Meeting of Ngaitai Iwi Authority on the 31st October 2009.