Declaration signed between Tauranga iwi and Hauraki Collective

Signing of declaration between Tauranga and Hauraki iwi at Maungatapu Marae. Photo/Andrew Warner

The largest iwi in the Hauraki Collective and Tauranga Moana have signed a declaration to clarify a rights dispute between the tribes.

The significant signing at Maungatapu Marae on Saturday signalled a resetting of the relationship between Auckland and Hauraki iwi Ngati Paoa and the Tauranga iwi Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui.

Waka were on Tauranga Harbour to reinforce the significance of the signing of the declaration.

The signing of the declaration followed tension between the collective of 12 Hauraki iwi, known as the Hauraki Collective, over what Tauranga iwi deemed to be an attempt by the collective to expand their footprint by claiming rights in the Tauranga area where they have not traditionally lived.

Ngati Paoa, the largest iwi in the Hauraki Collective, became unhappy that the actions of the collective disturbed friendly relations between iwi and were moving to ensure more traditional methods of interaction and dispute resolution were returned to.

The declaration sets out the way the iwi intend to deal with each other that is based on respect for tikanga and the mana of each other.

Ngai Te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao said Tauranga iwi were impressed with Ngati Paoa for the actions they were taking and for the mana enhancing pathway they have set in place.

"This is the way that iwi should be dealing with each other, with honesty, integrity and with good intent for each other," Tawhiao said.

"In cross-claims processes, we have reached the end of the usefulness of the legal process that is by nature adversarial and able to be misused."

Tawhiao said traditional systems of dispute resolution based on respect for the mana of each iwi or hapu and other relations were needed.

He said marae had been the centre of tribal diplomacy for hundreds of years and it was vital tried and true processes were used.

"We need to recognise that the legal processes should be there to support what comes out of discussion on marae, not dictate whether we can speak to each other."