Maori in the Taihape area are moving to the next stage in their Treaty of Waitangi land claim, chairman of the Mokai Patea Waitangi Claims Trust Utiku Potaka says.
After a meeting in March 2011 many of the claimants in the area joined their group or individual claims together to
pursue Wai 1705. Four iwi are involved, each with their own runanga: Ngai Te Ohuake, Ngati Hauiti, Ngati Tamakopiri and Ngati Whitikaupeka.
The Mokai Patea rohe stretches from the summit of the Desert Rd down to Rata, and the summit of the Ruahine Range to west of Taihape township.
Researchers have put together a first slab of information, using Maori Land Court minute books and interviewing local people.
"It has been quite difficult for us to participate in that process, only because it takes a huge amount of time by tribal members to feed into the researchers and many of us have other commitments and other jobs," Mr Potaka said. "It's been quite exhaustive, but worthwhile at the end of the day."
