The Waitangi Tribunal today released, in pre-publication format, Take a Takiwā – the sixth and final part of Te Mana Whatu Ahuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claims. The release marks the conclusion of the Tribunal’s long-running inquiry into claims in the Te Rohe Pōtae district, which extends from Whāingaroa Harbour to northern Taranaki and inland to the Waikato River and Taumarunui.
Parts I to V of Te Mana Whatu Ahuru have been progressively released in pre-publication format since 2018, focusing on major thematic issues agreed by parties. They addressed and made findings on the impact of Crown actions, omissions, policy, and legislation on Te Rohe Pōtae Māori, and their ability to exercise mana whakahaere and tino rangatiratanga in a range of contexts and periods – from the early years of Crown purchasing, to the construction of the main trunk railway and the operation of the Native Land Court, through to the management of the environment and the delivery of health services to Te Rohe Pōtae Maōri in the present day.
Part VI differs significantly in scope and purpose. It provides a comprehensive inventory and assessment of the 278 registered claims in the Te Rohe Pōtae district, which are grouped according to takiwā (sub-region). Each of the district’s seven takiwā is introduced with a map and a short overview of its physical and human landscape. Important maunga, awa, and other landmarks are highlighted, as are sites of historical or spiritual significance. Each overview also details the main tribal groups, their connections to the area and one another, and how tangata whenua have lived in, used, tended, fought over, and valued the takiwā over time.
All claims associated with the particular takiwā are then documented in turn. For each claim, the Tribunal records the applicable findings from parts I to V of the report. Where claim-specific matters arise, it makes any additional findings that may be appropriate. Finally, the Tribunal assesses whether the claim is well founded.
Part VI thus shines a light on every individual Te Rohe Pōtae claim – whether small or large, localised or district-wide in scope, or lodged by an individual representing their tūpuna or by whānau, hapū, iwi, an incorporation, or a trust.
The Te Rohe Pōtae district inquiry began in 2010. The original Tribunal panel comprised Judge David Ambler (presiding officer), Sir Hirini Mead, Professor Pou Temara, John Baird, and Dr Aroha Harris. After Judge Ambler passed away in 2017, Deputy Chief Judge Caren Fox was appointed to the role of presiding officer and has led the release of this six-part report.
Part VI of Te Mana Whatu Ahuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claims is now available to download:
Te Mana Whatu Ahuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claims, Part VI – Pre-publication Version
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Te Mana Whatu Ahuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claim, volume 6
Index to the Wai 898 Combined Record of Inquiry for the Te Rohe Pōtae District
The release of the final volume of the Waitangi Tribunal’s Te Mana Whatu Ahuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claims, named Take a Tākiwa, completed the Tribunal’s inquiry into Treaty of Waitangi claims submitted by Māori within Te Rohe Pōtae. This district extends from Whāingaroa Harbour to northern Taranaki and inland to the Waikato River and Taumarunui.
The first of the 278 hapū, whānau, iwi, block-specific, and district-wide claims that became part of the Te Rohe Pōtae district inquiry was submitted to the Tribunal in 1987 and the last in 2014. The claims alleged that the Crown breached the principles of the Treaty through a range of actions, omissions, policy, and legislation that resulted in significant prejudice to claimants and their tūpuna. The Tribunal held 23 weeks of hearings between 2012 and 2015 to hear parties’ positions and evidence. These hearings followed six Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho hui held in 2010 to hear traditional oral evidence.
Volume 6 differs significantly from the five earlier volumes of Te Mana Whatu Ahuru, which were progressively released in pre-publication format since 2018. While those volumes focus on the major thematic issues agreed by parties, volume 6 provides a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all the claims in the Te Rohe Pōtae inquiry. In doing so, it complements and augments the discussion of major kaupapa (thematic) issues in volumes 1 to 5. At the same time, volume 6 shines a light on every individual claim – situating each within its local context and assessing whether it is well founded.
The claims are organised into seven takiwā (sub-regions), which are mostly located around the inquiry district’s major waterways: Waipā-Pūniu, Taumarunui, Kāwhia-Aotea, Whāingaroa, Te Kūiti-Hauāuru, Waimiha-Ōngarue, and Mōkau. There are also a small number of cross-regional claims. Each takiwā is introduced with a map and a short overview of the physical and human landscape.
Every individual claim made by or on behalf of groups affiliated to that takiwā is then summarised. For each claim, the Tribunal records the findings from parts I to V that apply. Where other claim-specific matters arise, the Tribunal makes any additional findings or comment that may be appropriate. Finally, the Tribunal assesses whether the claim is well founded, based on an assessment of whether Crown legislation, policies, actions, or omissions inconsistent with the Treaty have prejudiced the claimants.
The Te Rohe Pōtae Tribunal panel comprised Deputy Chief Judge Caren Fox (presiding), Sir Hirini Mead, Professor Pou Temara, John Baird, and Dr Aroha Harris. Judge Fox was appointed to the role of presiding officer after the original presiding officer, Judge David Ambler, passed away in 2017.