Crown delivers historic apology to Ngāruahine
Ngāti Waewae hosts Taranaki iwi Treaty Settlement Apology

Raupatu muru, a kai a te ahi kā e
Te iwi tū kiri kau, te iwi kore kore
Tekau o ngā tau, tū wareware e

Hokitika – Over 150 members of Taranaki iwi Ngāruahine were present in Hokitika today to receive their apology associated with the tribe’s historic claims Treaty Settlement hosted by Ngāti Waewae.

The apology took place in Hokitika at the Seaview site, which was the site of a gaol to Ngāruahine ancestors. Lead Negotiator for the Ngāruahine settlement, Tihi Noble said, “When the treaty claim process began our old people were clear the apology for the muru raupatu (wars and land confiscation) of the late 1800’s had to be delivered to the tūpuna (ancestors) who never came home.”

Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust Pou Whakarae (Chair) Will Edwards explains the hikoi and apology. "Amongst the Ngāruahine uri present today there were those whose tūpuna were imprisoned, many of whom have made this pilgrimage before. We celebrate and commemorate our distant wars, but those in New Zealand are less well understood or acknowledged. This apology and the preceding hikoi is part of the process of resolving the trauma and complexities of this history for Ngāruahine. We are able to move forward, inspired by the principled way our tūpuna who stood up for their rights against great adversity."

The apology is understood to be the first to be delivered to an iwi outside of its traditional rohe (area) and was only possible with the agreement of local hapū Ngāti Waewae. Francois Tumahai Chair of Ngāti Waewae stated, “We were happy to assist Ngāruahine in this hikoi and receiving their apology. Our tūpuna supported Taranaki prisoners and supported efforts to appeal for their release. Like other parts of our history it needs to continue to be recognised."

The apology was delivered by the Minister for Treaty Negotiations, the Honourable Chris Finlayson and was the culmination of Ngāruahine’s treaty settlement process. From this point forward the post-settlement governance entity, Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust, will be responsible for representing the iwi’s interests. The Crown expects to introduce Ngaruahine's settlement legislation towards the middle of this year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media