Dannevirke: Iwi's Treaty settlement carries on

Members of Rangitane iwi, led by Manahi Paewai (at lectern) at the powhiri last Friday night.

It was time for Rangitane iwi in Dannevirke and the Wairarapa to celebrate their ongoing Treaty of Waitangi Settlement journey on Friday night.

Kaumatua Nanny Noa Nicholson (left) with Eva Wright.

While remembering their ancestors who have gone before this was also time to look ahead.

"It's about our future and building an economic platform," Mavis Mullins, one of the negotiators for Rangitane of the Wairarapa and Tamaki Nui-a-Rua (Tararua) with the Crown in the ongoing Treaty of Waitangi settlement, said.

And while the Agreement in Principal (AIP) was signed in March last year, there is still a way to go before settlement is reached, Mrs Mullins told the Dannevirke News this week.

"We're still in negotiation with the Crown and we're heading towards initialling the Deed of Settlement this year," she said. "This is quite a process and we're hopeful the actual legislation will be in next year."

However, while the negotiation process is drawn out, Mrs Mullins said with the signing of the AIP last March Rangitane gained $10 million of assets. "That's a good start," she said.

To those gathered in the Dannevirke Town Hall last Friday night, the negotiation process was described as being like a baton relay.

"The baton has been passed on and in the future we will pass the baton on to others. It's exciting," Mrs Mullins said.

Along with financial redress of a $32.5 million Treaty settlement for Tararua and Wairarapa Rangitane iwi, along with the transfer of seven Crown-owned sites of cultural significance to the iwi, being acknowledged as the Tangata whenua of the region is an important part of the process, Manahi Paewai said.

"The claim is an opportunity to unite and a future for generations to come," he said. "When I read the Crown's acknowledgement and apology, my emotions were strong because this is so important and something we need to build on. This is about us and owning our space and to be who we need to be."

The Treaty of Waitangi settlement is a great opportunity to share with grandchildren and to empower and invigorate people, Mr Paewai said.

However, it was acknowledged that the Treaty journey has been difficult and so to have the AIP signed is an exciting time. Mrs Mullins said it will also be exciting when Ngati Kahungunu sign their settlement.

"Those who have put their hearts into the process have to be thanked," she said.