Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust (Te Mana) is pleased to announce they have received Crown approval for the results of a vote by iwi members on the Ngāti Rangitihi Deed of Settlement, to settle historical claims for breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by the Crown.
In a letter received from Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Hon Andrew Little, and Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, the Crown acknowledged that the results showed sufficient support from the Ngāti Rangithi voting population, and that the ratification process was robust and allowed for full participation of members.
Chairman Leith Comer says the Ministers’ approval is another significant milestone for the Iwi.
“We were always confident we had fulfilled the Crown’s criteria, but it’s good to now get full and final confirmation of this so that we can move forward with signing the Deed of Settlement,” he says.
The Deed of Settlement voting involved a four-week process, with results received on 26 August 2020 showing that 91.79% of valid votes cast were in favour of the settlement package that had been negotiated.
Mr Comer says the Iwi intends to sign the Deed of Settlement with the Crown before the close of the year.
“This has been a long time coming for Ngāti Rangitihi, and we look forward to the formal ceremony at Rangitihi Marae later this year,” he says.
Once the settlement is signed, and then enacted through Parliament, Te Mana, as the approved Post-Settlement Governance Entity, will receive the settlement redress.
Within one year of the Deed of Settlement being signed, or by 2022 (whichever happens sooner), new Trustees will be elected to develop the future strategic plan of the Trust and establish those social, cultural and economic developments that will benefit the Iwi.
Mr Comer says reaching an approved Deed of Settlement signifies a promising future for the Iwi, especially our rangatahi.
“We look forward to continuing to have our people involved in the haerenga (journey) as we move into this next phase and realise the aspirations of our people – culturally, spiritually, socially, and economically,” he says.
“On behalf of the Trust, I extend my gratitude to all those who enabled us to reach this point – our tūpuna, Ngāti Rangitihi claimants, our members, all those who voted, and our dedicated team of Trustees, Negotiators and Te Mana staff.”
Media contact:
Kerri Jones
027 558 7070
kerri@campbellsquared.com
Notes to Editors:
- Full results of the vote can be accessed here.
- The Ngāti Rangitihi Deed of Settlement comprises an Historic Account, Crown Acknowledgements of how and when it breached Te Tiriti, and the Crown’s Apology. It sets out the return of more than 500 hectares of culturally significant lands, relationship agreements with Government agencies, and an entity to restore and protect Tarawera Awa (with $500,000 of funding), as well as Financial Redress of $11.3 million. The Deed of Settlement also enables strong relationships with neighbouring iwi, including Tūhourangi, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa (Bay of Plenty).
Rangitihi Story (PDF)