Ngati Hine's role explained

Erima Henare stands to address the Waitangi Tribunal at Pipiwai yesterday. On the wall behind him is a photo of his father Sir James Henare. Photo / John Stone

Ngati Hine's leading role when European and Maori cultures came into contact about two centuries ago was explained to the Waitangi Tribunal at Pipiwai yesterday.

The history lesson came during Ngati Hine hearings on week nine of stage 2 of the tribunal's Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry into settlement of Ngapuhi Treaty of Waitangi grievances.

Ngati Hine leader, Erima Henare, and Northland electorate Labour candidate Willow Jean Prime held the floor at Tau Henare Marae for the morning, leading the tribunal through the signing of He Whakaputanga (the Declaration of Independence) in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 to the repeated attacks on the flagpole at Kororareka (Russell), British destruction of Bay of Islands pa and the Northern Wars.

Despite Pipiwai Rd being closed by slips north of the settlement, halting traffic heading south from Moerewa, the marae was full for the tribunal hearing and dozens of people remained outside, preparing food, directing traffic - Pipiwai's only road had cones, wardens and a crush of cars outside the marae - or talking to friends.

Driving to Pipiwai, motorists yesterday came across roadside signs recording the sites of homes demolished and burnt when the Te Horo development scheme was initiated in the 1960s.

The Crown was taken on a virtual site visit of the Ngati Hine rohe before Mr Henare and Mrs Prime wound the day up with history on Old Land Claims and Crown purchases in the area.

The pair are back at the speaker's rostrum with Liz Mataroria this morning, giving the tribunal evidence about the Motatau blocks and land taken for railways.

Sadie McGee, Isobel Karaitiana and Raemon Parkinson will discuss claims relating to the Mohinui/Waiomio Development Scheme this afternoon.

Tomorrow, Lavona Hogan, Te Rau Moetahi Hoterene, Marino Murphy, Ani Wyatt, Rewi Hone Niha, Hori Hemara Niha, Nonnie Puru, Ngawai Anaru, Otaiuru Lawrence, Kolaski Lawrence and Sulia Shortland will give evidence on the Te Horo development scheme. Technical witness David Alexander will provide an environmental impacts report on Thursday morning. Pierre Lyndon and Beau Wilson will give evidence in the afternoon.

Socio-economic issues, health, housing, employment and welfare will be examined on Friday with evidence from Eru Lyndon, Pohi Ashby, Moe Milne, Waihoroi Shortland and Peeni Henare before closing remarks by Erima and Hirini Henare end the hearing about 3.30pm.