Call to sort out who owns Mauao

By David Dunham
A desire to promptly resolve the ownership of Mauao was the common message in speeches at the Waitangi Day dawn service atop the landmark today.
Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson said he was "saddened" that the ownership of Mount Maunganui's famous landmark had not been settled with Tauranga Moana's three iwi. He called for it to be done so quickly.
The handing over of Mauao from the Crown was something Tauranga City Council was looking forward to, Mayor Stuart Crosby said in his speech.
In December, it was revealed at a meeting of the Tauranga City Council/Tangata Whenua committee that Crown lawyers were drafting a trust deed that would mean Mauao was vested in Tauranga Moana's three iwi, Ngaiterangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga.
A deed of ownership vesting Mauao in Tauranga Maori would need to become a Bill and go through the normal Parliamentary processes, including public submissions.
Hauata Palmer, chairman of Ngaiterangi Runanga, said discussions about the return of Mauao had been going on for the past five years or so and had stumbled along the way.
However, he added: "Hopefully next Waitangi Day there will be true ownership of Mauao."
Mr Palmer was one of about a dozen people who addressed a record crowd at the traditional service of more than 300. The mix of Maori and Pakeha had set off from Pilot Bay at 5.30am for the 6.30am service.
Most chose to walk up Mauao and some were pushing pushchairs or were carrying babies or toddlers.
They were greeted at the top with the stirring sound of the bagpipes.
Following the opening karakia, a hymn - Tama Ngakau Marie - was sung and church leaders spoke. David Dishroon, a pastor at Tauranga Worship Centre, offered a prayer for Aotearoa and Tauranga Moana and called on God to bless the land.
An annual Mauao ceremony has been running since the late 1970s, having been initiated by the Tauranga Moana Maori Council.
It has grown in popularity in recent years but this morning was the largest crowd it had attracted.
Mr Clarkson said he was amazed at the number of people who had turned up, while Waiariki MP Mita Ririnui said it was important for young people to attend and absorb what was said.
"This is not a day for political messages," he said.
Ngati Ranginui chief Morehu Ngatoko said there was a "magnificent" gathering that showed the strength of feeling that people have for their history.
As the service, which marked the 167th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, came to a close, an open forum was held in which members of the public were invited to speak.
About six people stepped forward, with one man - a Chilean - speaking in his native language before saying in English that as a new immigrant he felt privileged to be at the service.
Before the final karakia, warriors from the Takitimu waka - who had paddled across the estuary - performed a haka before returning to Pilot Bay.
Breakfast was held following the service at Whareroa Marae for kaumata/kuia and dignitaries.