Māori Affairs Select Committee Hears Submissions on the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Claims Settlement Bill Tēnā koe The Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nui-à-Rua Claims Settlement Bill had its first reading in Parliament on 11 May 2022. The Bill has been referred to the Màori Affairs Select Committee, and the committee is inviting submissions on the Bill by 22 June 2022. This Bill, if passed by Parliament, will settle Wairarapa Moana Incorporation owners’ Wai 85 claim, against the wishes of the majority of owners. The Waitangi Tribunal in its 2021 report made a number of very clear findings and strong recommendations which the Crown and the majority of the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nui-à-Rua Settlement trustees have chosen to ignore: • The Waitangi Tribunal found that the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nui-à-Rua Settlement Trust had no mandate to enter into settlement with the Crown concerning the interests of Ngài Tùmapùhia-à-Rangi in Ngàumu Forest (Wai 429) and the Wairarapa Moana ki Pouàkani Incorporation in relation to the land at Pouàkani (Wai 85). • The ratification process undertaken by the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nuià-Rua Settlement Trust was poor and there were too few votes in support of the settlement for the Crown to consider the settlement had sufficient support.
The Committee of Management understands that the settlement process for Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nui-à-Rua has taken considerable time. It is not our intention to hold up the settlement process. We have asked the Crown to remove Wai 85 from settlement legislation. This would allow settlement to proceed and for Wairarapa Moana owners to exercise our rangatiratanga and pursue settlement of Wai 85 on our own terms. The Committee of Management asks that you make a submission to the Màori Affairs Select Committee indicating your opposition to the settlement of the Wai 85 claim through the Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tàmaki nui-à-Rua Claims Settlement Bill, and seeking its removal from the Bill. Attached is a suggested submission template, to assist you with this process. If you need any assistance with making a submission, please call the Masterton office on 0800 662 624 or send us an email at info@wairarapamoana.org.nz
Nàku noa, nà Kingi Winiata Smiler Chairman, Wairarapa Moana Incorporation 17 May 2022