MEDIA RELEASE

26 February 2015

Walk The Talk says Ngāti Manu

This Friday will mark the significant agreement between Ngāti Manu and Far North Holdings Ltd in a Mana Whenua acknowledgement for the protection of Opua waterways and Taumārere River.

The wrongful taking of land at Opua has been a source of grievance for the hapu since the 1830’s. It was wrongfully claimed by the Church Missionary Society as art of an Old Land Claim by the Crown as surplus land and as part of the Kawakawa purchase, as railway takings along the Kawakawa-Opua line and more recently under the Takutai Moana Act. Their claim is currently being heard by the Waitangi Tribunal.

The Opua marine development and expansion have long been an issue of contention for Ngāti Manu and Far North Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Far North District Council since the early 80’s when Sir James Henare vehemently opposed all marina and Maritime Services at Opua without recognition of neither tangata whenua status nor any consultation with the affected hapu.

On Friday, Ngāti Manu will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise a cultural and historical relationship with Far North Holdings Ltd in Opua.

“It is significant for our hapu, this is the first time in history that Far North Holdings have acknowledged our assertion of mana whenua and mana moana status in Opua and Taumarere and will be work alongside Ngāti Manu in consultation and to assist our hapu in educational initiatives for our taiohi ” Says Ngāti Manu spokesperson Arapeta Hamilton.

“When I started this journey with Sir James Henare back in the 80’s we protested at Opua. We erected the Pou at Opua in 1989 which Sir James Henare unveiled as a reminder to future generations of our customary rights in the area. We are getting closer to building ongoing relationships of those occupying our area as well as progressing our claims forward for Ngāti Manu and the descendants of Pomare” Mr Hamilton stated.

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