Emotions flow as 'dream' comes true

ORATOR: Turama Hawira addresses the guests. Photo/Bevan Conley

Frayed flags representing the Whanganui River marae fluttered in the wind as the ministers and officials of the Crown were welcomed on to Ruaka Marae in Ranana.

They were there to sign the Whanganui River Deed of Settlement, which marks the end of 10 years of on-and-off negotiation and more than a century of litigation between Whanganui River hapu and iwi, and government.

The settlement will recognise the values of the relationship between the iwi and the river, by recognising the river as Te Awa Tupua, and giving it legal personality status with its own rights.

Crowds of people flooded the marae on Tuesday, with some travelling from near and far to witness the historic occasion.

Marama Allen, a teacher at Wanganui High School, said she considered the event a "dream come true" for her ancestors.

"Considering this is my marae, well it's a big event for the whole iwi because this is a journey that our ancestors have been on since ... we're looking at more than a 100 years ago, so it's quite a major event."

Some wiped away tears during the emotional ceremony, while others embraced.

Te Awhina Wharakura, from Tainui, didn't know the finer details of the event but went to show her support for the Maori king.

"I've come from Tainui to support our Kingitanga," she said.

A new governance-body, called Nga Tangata Tiaki, will be created to manage the $80 million the iwi will receive from the settlement. The funds will be distributed equally across Whanganui hapu and iwi. Some hope the money will go towards improving the Whanganui River marae.

Deslee Ballard, who left Taumaranui at 6am for the occasion, said she hopes something positive will come out of the settlement. "[Something] like renovations for the different marae up the river or more buildings being built," she said.

Nga Tangata Tiaki has interim trustees and there will be elections for seven trustees with three-year terms within a year. "I think that, in the long term, it is for the wellbeing of the river," said Mrs Allen.

"The whole spirit, the awa, will be lifted, and with the settlement, the ground and the wellbeing of our river will be maintained and looked after."

Kelly Teed, Haley Jones and Jess Tyson are AUT journalism students on work experience at the Chronicle.

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