$32.5m Wairarapa land deal struck

Pictured at the former Lansdowne School site were iwi representatives, from left, Carlene Te Tau, Helen Rimene, Hinerau Te Tau, Mike Kawana, Jason Kerehi, Moko Namana and Merle Te Tau.

The longest walk home is almost over for the landless people of Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki-Nui-o-Rua.

Rangitane trustees on Friday signed an agreement in principle with Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson regarding Treaty of Waitangi claims that involve financial redress of $32.5 million and the return to the iwi of seven Crown-owned sites.

The Rangitane settlement also includes an opportunity for the iwi to acquire commercial properties like Ngaumu Forest and the former Lansdowne School site in Masterton.

Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki-nui-a-rua represent 4000 beneficiaries in a region stretching from Wairarapa to Dannevirke, the second-largest ever treaty settlement area.

"Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki Nui-a-Rua are virtually landless today due to the actions and omissions of the Crown," Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said yesterday.

"As a result, since the nineteenth century, they have struggled to maintain their identity and connection with their land and cultural traditions. This agreement will help acknowledge the injustices of the past." Mr Finlayson said Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre will be transferred to the iwi before the gifting back to the Crown of the area, which was the final remnant of Te Tapere Nui o Whatonga, or Seventy Mile Bush, that once blanketed much of northern Wairarapa and Tararua districts and held significant spiritual and cultural value to Rangitane.

Jason Kerehi, Rangitane o Wairarapa chief executive and settlement negotiator, said the signing of the hard-fought agreement in principle was "a red letter day" for Rangitane.

He said a deed of settlement, which iwi need to ratify, is expected to be consummated within 18 months before becoming law. Rangitane Tu Mai Ra Trust will receive reparation and start work "to rebuild the cultural identity and economic base of Rangitane".

"There have been numerous government contracts, government initiatives, green papers, white papers. Now it's about our plans, our needs, and our commitment to each other," Mr Kerehi said.

"I don't believe it means puffing out our chests but we should be proud. It's a new day. It's about making our own decisions. That's the reality of it."

Mr Kerehi said vital to the settlement was the Crown acknowledgement Rangitane was an iwi of Wairarapa and Tamaki Nui-a-Rua that was left landless since 1900, having lost about 600,000 hectares of property over two years from 1853.

In 1989 Rangitane o Wairarapa won recognition as an iwi and submitted its WAI175 claim and in 2010 a Waitangi Tribunal report was released that found 19th century Crown officers without full iwi consent had bought land in "ruthless and reckless fashion", failed to offer and maintain land reserves, and denied access to customary resources.

The report also acknowledged the loss to Rangitane hapu of their tribal autonomy and identity.

Rangitane o Wairarapa claimants James Rimene and Manahi Paewai were excited by the "cultural revitalisation opportunities" the settlement will provide. Both believed strong cultural identity, together with quality education, is the key to success and the settlement can provide "a springboard for these to occur in a Maori-Rangitane context".