Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister for Maori Affairs

14 May 2008 Media Statement

Mauao title returned to tāngata whenua

Minister of Māori Affairs Parekura Horomia welcomes the passing of the Mauao Historic Reserve Vesting Bill which gives effect to the agreement signed between Tauranga Moana Iwi, Waitaha and the Crown in August this year to return the title of Mauao to tāngata whenua.

“The Mauao Historic Reserve Vesting Bill will transfer the ownership of the Mauao historic reserve to the three iwi of Tauranga Moana, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga.”

Iwi members were present in the debating chamber to witness the final stage of the Bill

“The Bill will make the iwi of Tauranga Moana the legal owners of Mauao. The title is significant because it reflects that the Bill will vest the fee simple estate of the Mauao historic reserve in the iwi. On registration, iwi will become the registered proprietors of Mauao.”

“This Bill retains Mauao’s status as an historic reserve. This will ensure a high level of protection from alienation and commercialisation, and continue to provide the public with access to this sacred taonga.”

“This Bill recognises the mana of Mauao and the great significance of the maunga tapu to the tangata whenua of Tauranga Moana. It does so by vesting the fee simple estate of the Mauao historic reserve in the trustees of the Mauao Trust to hold on behalf of the people of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga.”

“Mauao stands at the mouth of the dynamic landscape and waterways that comprise Tauranga Moana’s unique geography, and the iwi takiwā of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga. In this respect Mauao provides a place of definition in Tauranga Moana. The Mauao Park Ranger estimates that 850,000 visitors enjoyed Mauao’s walking tracks in 2007, and this will continue.”

“This is a great achievement and one that we will celebrate with Tauranga Moana iwi.”

ENDS

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