Late inner harbour claim kaumatua Heitia Hiha (left) and John Hohepa (right) with historian Pat Parsons after the Waitangi Tribunal report in 1995. Settlement awaits 25 years later. Photo/File
Late inner harbour claim kaumatua Heitia Hiha (left) and John Hohepa (right) with historian Pat Parsons after the Waitangi Tribunal report in 1995. Settlement awaits 25 years later. Photo/File
A Napier treaty settlement which includes possibly the oldest unresolved claim before the Waitangi Tribunal has started its last stages through Parliament despite issues worrying a sector of the claimant group.
The Ahuriri Hapu settlement includes the Napier inner harbour Whanganui-A-Orotu claim, known as WAI 55 — its number indicatingits early history with the tribunal which was formed under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975.
Initially it was only able to consider current Government matters, but in 1985 the power was extended to consider claims dating back to the signing of the Treaty in 1840.
WAI 55 was lodged by the late Teotane (Joe) Reti in 1988 on behalf of hapu from the original shoreline, and about 20 days of hearings was held in the mid-1990s.
The Tribunal ultimately supported the claims in a 1995 report but settlement became part of a large natural grouping including linked claims relating to the Crown's Ahuriri Purchase of 1851.
The Ahuriri Hapu Claims Settlement bill, offering $19.5 million in redress and other solutions, passed its first reading in Parliament on Thursday, boycotted by representatives of Ngati Parau, which went to the Tribunal last year over issues relating to mandated post-settlement governance entity Mana Ahuriri.
The Crown has recognised Ahuriri hapū did not willingly relinquish their rangatiratanga over the expansive inner harbour as it existed before the 1870s.
The other hapu are Ngāti Hinepare, Ngāti Mahu, Ngāti Matepu, Ngāti Tawhao, Ngāi Te Ruruku, and Ngāti Tū, who, like Ngati Parau, were left virtually landless after 1930, according to reports.
The Crown recognised Ahuriri hapū did not willingly relinquish their rangatiratanga over the expansive inner harbour as it existed prior to reclamation of the 1870s and the Hawke's Bay earthquake of 1931.
It also found that the Crown breached the Treaty of Waitangi when it killed more than 30 people, who were defending themselves at Ōmarunui, and during another Crown attack at Herepoho, a matter of particular interest to Ngati Parau.
Ngāti Pārau spokesman Matt Mullany said the hapu is "looking forward" to the Crown addressing prejudice against the hapu's interest, including holding elections for the Mana Ahuriri Trust.
He was unable to comment further for fear of being seen as prejudicing or trying to influence matters which may also appear in the Maori Land Court.
Mana Ahuriri chairman and kaumatua Piriniha Prentice told Radio New Zealand it was sad that Ngāti Pārau was the only hapu not present at the first reading, and said the hapu's actions had come at a cost to other iwi members.
"Three and a half years we've sat there waiting for this day, three and a half years is too long," he said.
"What happens in the meantime is the cost of all that is compounding and the lost opportunities for those three and a half years is unforgivable."
The Waitangi Tribunal recommended, in a report released December last year, that the Mana Ahuriri Trust hold trustee elections in response to the claim brought forward by Ngāti Pārau, which Ngati Parau says is a condition for the bill passing its first reading.
