`Enslaved' hapu says settlement unfair

Grievances dating back to the days of inter-tribal slavery are to be aired before the Waitangi Tribunal when it sits in Rotorua next month.

The hearing has been requested by the people of Ngati Whaoa, despite the multimillion-dollar deed of settlement Te Arawa signed with the Crown in October. It will be the third time Ngati Whaoa has argued its claims before the tribunal.

At the nub of the hearing is the hapu's claim it has not had a fair deal from the Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa executive council, the group mandated by the Government to negotiate the tribe's claims.

The discontent hinges on Ngati Whaoa being joined by Ngati Tahu for the negotiating process. Ngati Whaoa kaumatua Mike Rika denies the hapu are connected. It is his contention Ngati Tahu descends from the Mataatua canoe, not Te Arawa, and because it is larger outvotes Ngati Whaoa, leaving it under-represented.

"We are not part of this tribe. We have no tribal connection with them," he said.

His people, who lived at Rainbow Mountain, were "conquered" by Ngati Tahu in the late 18th century and survivors were taken as slaves to live at Tarawera, he said.

"They are our former enemy who enslaved us and yet they are speaking and acting on our behalf today."

Although the Treaty of Waitangi abolished slavery, it was still practised in isolated areas of the Central North Island until the defeat of Te Kooti by Captain Gilbert Mair's forces in 1871.

"Even after that the stigma of slave was still attached to anyone calling themselves Ngati Whaoa," Mr Rika said.

Following the Tarawera eruption in 1886, Te Arawa, with the support of Ngati Whakaue, re-established Ngati Whaoa descendants on a portion of their homeland, and in 1888 the Native Land Court awarded the Paeroa Maunga block to Ngati Whaoa.

"This is proof we are not a part of Ngati Tahu. From the outset Ngati Whaoa did not want to enter into the one-sided negotiations with the Crown until the matter of identity, rightful representation and mana whenua were determined by the Maori Land Court. We are not one iwi," Mr Rika said.

Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa executive council former operations manager Nero Panapa said he could not discuss the issues because they were due to go before the tribunal. Ngati Whaoa had already had five days of hearings in January 2004 and again last January.

However, he was perturbed by wording being used. "Enslavement seems a strong word to be using," he said.

Te Arawa's settlement package will see the tribe receive $36 million which they can use to buy back forestry land, residential property and geothermal wells.