Claims and MACA update October 2021

Lees Seymour, Claims Manager

 

Wai 30 and remaining claims

On Monday 11 October, myself and other members of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo met with Waikato-Tainui representatives regarding Wai 30 and remaining claims. Leading up to this hui, we had arranged a number of meetings with Waikato Tainui since April 2021, but these were either cancelled or they simply did not turn up.  We have also submitted a proposed Oati to Waikato Tainui but we have not yet had any formal feedback.

 

 

From the October hui, it was apparent that Waikato – Tainui consider it highly unlikely that Ngāti Hikairo will be given a seat at the negotiation table. Waikato-Tainui have already committed to a structure for the West Coast Harbours Negotiation Team. It includes Oati partners Ngāti Te Wehi and Ngāhi Mahuta, alongside representatives of each of the four moana (Whaingaroa, Kāwhia, Manukau and Aotea). It was made clear to us that there was no plan to include a seat for Ngāti Hikairo – regardless of whether or not we opt to join them in negotiating the Wai 30 claim.

 

Further, in the week prior to the Waikato Tainui hui, we were advised by Cath Holland from Waipapa Marae – and on behalf that the eight marae around Kāwhia Moana – that they have selected the Kāwhia Moana representatives. We were also advised that these representatives will negotiate Wai 30 and remaining claims without further input from – or interaction with – Ngāti Hikairo.

 

Neither of these matters had not been raised with us previously, so came as a surprise.

 

 

We are taking these issues seriously as it appears that Ngāti Hikairo is being excluded, despite our substantial interests in Kāwhia Harbour and a mandate from the claimants to negotiate their claims on their behalf, as part of the remaining claims. We are seeking advice from Te Arawhiti about the current situation, matters of process and how to resolve this impasse. We will report back once we have clarity on the situation.

 

 

MACA

Great progress being made with respect to gathering evidence about our historical and customary use of Kāwhia Moana, other coastal areas and Te Tai a Kupe (the sea outside of the harbour) . Our initial draft reports from our historians and our Iwi Researcher 

(our huānga Tirohanga Kāwhia Johnson) will be with us next month.

 

 

Engagement with Maniapoto

We had a very constructive meeting with Maniapoto on Monday 18 October discussing a way whereby we each agree our respective boundaries and a process to manage overlapping interests. A draft agreement is in development which we will share with the iwi as it becomes available. We also discussed Kāwhia Moana and our desire to work together with respect to issues that affect the moana, the health of the moana is of the utmost importance. Our interactions with Maniapoto have been very positive thus far.

 

 

Lees Seymour

Claims Project Manager

Ngāti Hikairo