Dannevirke: Iwi supported for treaty settlement

Lead negotiator for Rangit ne o Wairarapa and Rangit ne o Tamaki nui- -Rua Jason Kerehi (left), with Dannevirke's Henare Kani and Mavis Mullins, a negotiator for the Rangitane Treaty of Waitangi settlement. Mr Kerehi is a member of Rangitane Tu Mai Ra, the post settlement governance entity, while Mrs Mullins is the chairwoman. Photo / Christine McKay

Rangitne o Wairarapa and Rangitne o Tamaki nui--Rua have received sufficient support from their iwi members to allow their Treaty of Waitangi settlement to go ahead.

Approval has also been received from the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Christopher Finlayson, and Minister for Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell.

For Dannevirke's Manahi Paewai, the settlement is vital for the future of our community.

"To be able to realise this opportunity is crucial, not only for our cultural and economic future but also for our wider communities," he said.

"The settlement will be a catalyst for Rangitne to realise the dreams and aspirations of the iwi.

"Our iwi has united to make this settlement a reality. This is about being empowered and invigorating our cultural identity as we start the journey into our post-settlement phase.

"It acknowledges us as tangata whenua of the region, which is vital because that has been confused by some, including the Crown, for generations."

The Crown will now join Rangitne o Wairarapa and Rangitne o Tamaki nui--Rua to sign the official deed of settlement at a ceremony in Dannevirke this Saturday, August 6, with the settlement providing financial redress of $32.5 million and the transfer to iwi of seven Crown-owned sites of cultural significance.

The terms of the settlement were negotiated by Rangitne Settlement Negotiations Trust and presented to iwi members over a series of seven ratification hui in May and June.

The Rangitne Settlement Negotiations Trust lead negotiator, Jason Kerehi, said the settlement was a real achievement for the people of Rangitne o Wairarapa and Rangitne o Tamaki nui--Rua.

"We are delighted that our people have shown their support for this settlement, which our kaumtua and kuia have worked hard for so many years to bring to the region," he said.