Protesters surprise minister

Maori occupiers of a historic reserve in South Taranaki should be talking to the Maori runanga set up to govern the site, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson.

She expressed surprise at the occupation of the Turuturu Mokai Recreation Reserve, near Hawera, by about 20 members of Ngati Tupaia hapu.

Ms Wilson said she understood that some of the occupiers had been involved in numerous challenges to the Ngati Ruanui settlement process.

The $41 million Ngati Ruanui settlement has been dogged by minority groups claiming to have been alienated and excluded.

The reserve, administered by the South Taranaki District Council, is about to be transferred back to Ngati Ruanui as part of last year's settlement agreement.

Public access to the site will be protected.

Ngati Tupaia hapu want the reserve given back to them.

Ms Wilson said yesterday that the council and the Crown had recognised the significance of the reserve to Ngati Ruanui and the Ngati Tupaia hapu in particular.

"The intention is that the site be vested in Ngati Tupaia, but it will be for Ngati Ruanui to determine this through its new governance entity, Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui."

Each of the 16 Ngati Ruanui hapu, including Ngati Tupaia, were represented on the new runanga.

The hapu's claims had been given a fair hearing, but had not been upheld by the Waitangi Tribunal or the High Court.

"As I have said to these individuals in the past, I encourage them to discuss these issues directly with the new runanga."

It would be the runanga which determined the management of the settlement redress, including the reserve site, Ms Wilson said.

Legislation needed to bring parts of the settlement into effect would be introduced to Parliament within the next couple of months and was expected to be passed this year.

Once the bill was passed, the settlement redress would be transferred to the runanga.

A core group of three families has been occupying the reserve since Wednesday night.

Ngati Tupaia hapu spokesman Te Urutahi Waikerepuru said the occupation was to let the Government know the pressure was on.

"If we can exert enough pressure, it may actually bring us back to the table. We still think it's not too late."

- NZPA