Te Arawa claims to go ahead

By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
Divisions within Te Arawa have not swayed the iwi from attempting to settle its historical land grievances with the Government.

Ngati Whakaue, one of the largest tribes within Te Arawa, signalled several months ago that it was withdrawing from a group mandated to negotiate the tribe's claims directly with the Government.

At a formal signing of the terms of negotiation at Rotorua's Wahiao Marae last week, three other groups, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Rangiteaorere and Ngati Wahiao, announced they were also withdrawing from the process.

However, in the past few days, four sub-hapu within Ngati Whakaue have confirmed to the Nga Kaihautu executive council that they want to rejoin the talks.

The hapu are Ngararanui, Ngati Tura, Ngati Ngakau and Ngati Te Roro o Te Rangi.

Council communications manager and Ngararanui spokesman Wally Haumaha said the Nga Kaihautu executive would continue to work closely with all of Te Arawa to achieve an equitable outcome.

"If this means going back to the drawing board to continue dialogue, despite current rumblings, then this is what we will do to support and satisfy those iwi and hapu who feel they may not have been listened to," he said.

Mr Haumaha defended the iwi's decision to try to strike a single deal with the Government, covering dozens of claims.

"Our aim has been to achieve overall co-ordination between multiple claimants within Te Arawa to save time, reduce uncertainties and enter into negotiations to achieve early settlement," he said.

"I see this as an opportunity to draw an end to a long protracted process so we can get on with developing our social, cultural and economic position as major stakeholders in the local economy within the next two years."

The groups which have opted out of the talks will be taking their claims to the Waitangi Tribunal.

However, the Government has warned it could be some time before their claims will be considered.

A spokeswoman for Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said the Government gave preference to groups wanting their claims heard as a collective.

Ten of the 14 groups involved in the massive Central North Island claim wanted the process to continue and would not be disadvantaged by the groups who wanted to pull out, the spokeswoman commented.

The Government has said the door will be left open for the renegade groups to re-enter negotiations through the executive council if they wish.

The withdrawal of Ngati Rangiwewehi from the process means Taniwha and Hamurana springs will not be included in any bulk settlement.

The rest of the claims cover huge chunks of land in the Central North Island, including hundreds of thousands of hectares of forestry land.

Ngati Pikiao has said it remains committed to the process of direct talks with the Government.

Ngati Pikiao executive council representative Eva Moke said extensive preparation work had gone into the process.

"We see it as being more beneficial because unlike the Waitangi Tribunal process, it is more time and cost effective and is sourced from the ground level up," she said.

Waiariki MP Mita Ririnui and Ngati Whakaue representatives were not available for comment.