Whanganui iwi 'deprived,' says Tribunal judge

WELCOME: Kuia Julie Ranginui greets Ngati Tuwharetoa visitor Te Ngaihe Wanikau at Putiki Marae yesterday.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO 221015WCSMPUTIKI19

WHANGANUI Maori have too little control over their own lives and language, Waitangi Tribunal Judge Carrie Wainwright says.

She handed over the tribunal's report on the Whanganui Land Inquiry at Putiki Marae yesterday. It was in three volumes and, while she didn't attempt to summarise it, she took the unusual step of highlighting issues from the report.

It looked in depth at four particular areas. One was Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens, the scene of the iwi's occupation in 1995, now under joint Crown-iwi control. Another was the spelling of Wanganui with or without an "H". The Tribunal criticised the notion of alternative spellings, and said the "H" spelling should be respected.

"They are not equally legitimate. One is right and one is wrong."

Another was Waikune Prison, the site of another occupation, and the last was certain lands around Ohakune.

The Tribunal hoped to resolve certain issues through the report and looked closely at about 30 across the large Whanganui region. One was resolved when land used as a rifle range was returned to Putiki hapu in 2009.

Judge Wainwright said Whanganui Maori continued to live in a state of social and cultural deprivation, and Census statistics bore that out. They had little control over measures that affected them, especially from local government and too little input into the management of Whanganui National Park.

The law that allowed the Crown to take land for public works needed to be changed, because it breached the Treaty of Waitangi. And the Tribunal was concerned Whanganui Maori did not control their own language.

The "H" issue was an example of that.

Ms Wainwright was made the presiding officer of the Whanganui Inquiry, Wai 903, in 2001.

She attended hearings in the region from 2006-2009.

"I've been working on the report full time for the last 18 months. I've put in 15 years' work - that's 25 per cent of my life."

Her group of around 30 was welcomed to Te Ao Hou Marae on Wednesday night, and to Putiki Marae yesterday. She thanked Whanganui iwi for their generosity and hospitality, and said it was good to be back among friends.

"Our very best wishes go to you today and they will stay with you forever."

The document, He Whiritaunoka: The Whanganui Land Report, was presented to chosen people in decorative kete and preceded by a poipoi whakapapa - a special performance to give mana to the occasion.

Responding, Tupoho spokesman Ken Mair said it was a massive amount of work and was of the highest quality.

"We thank you for your gift of expertise, of knowledge and of wisdom. It will stand us in good stead for negotiations with the Crown."