Evidence which could affect the fate of 140 Far North properties, some in public ownership but many of them private, with a total value of $26 million, is being presented to the Waitangi Tribunal's Ngati Kahu remedies hearing at Kareponia, outside Awanui, this week.
Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngati Kahu was dissatisfied with Crown efforts to settle the iwi's Treaty grievances along with those of the other Muriwhenua tribes, and asked the tribunal to conduct a hearing into remedies for its claims. Those claims cover land, including private property, which is subject to a State-Owned Enterprises Act memorial which could enable the tribunal to recommend transferring them to Maori as a remedy for historical claims.
Office of Treaty Settlements director Peter Galvin has said that, in certain circumstances, those recommendations became binding, meaning that the Crown must buy (or 'resume') the land so it can be transferred, an exception to the general rule that the tribunal cannot make binding recommendations.
The largest of the resumable properties in the Ngati Kahu remedies claim area is the 3700-hectare Rangiputa Station, valued at $3.6 million. Other resumable properties include a 1.2-hectare Baptist Union site valued at up to $1.5 million and a Mangonui Volunteer Fire Brigade site valued at $150,000.
Six Housing Corporation properties with a total value of up to $1.16 million are on the list, along with 13 Far North District Council sites with valuations ranging from $5 to $10,000.
Most owners of the other resumable properties are companies and private individuals.
The Ngati Kahu claims are being opposed by the Crown, which believes its settlement offer to the tribe, an offer that does not involve private property, is fair.
The hearing began with a powhiri at Kareponia Marae on Sunday, with the tribunal beginning its week-long sitting by hearing Ngati Kahu tangata whenua evidence yesterday on Monday. Ngati Kahu technical evidence was be heard on Tuesday, followed by Crown evidence yesterday and through to 2.30 this afternoon. Ngati Tara then has until 4pm to present its case, followed by Te Paatu with a similar time allocation.
Te Rarawa will begin tomorrow's morning session at 9am, followed by Te Aupouri until and Ngai Takoto. Whangaroa evidence will be heard after the luncheon adjournment, from 2pm, with Te Uri o Te Aho then taking the final 45 minutes before the tribunal rises.
Closing submissions are to be made in the Environment Court, Specialist Court and Tribunal Centre in Federal Street, Auckland, over September 18-19.