BACKGROUND

THE TREATY TRIBES COALITION

The Treaty Tribes Coalition was formed in 1994 and has the support of more than 25 iwi throughout New Zealand. These include:

 Hauraki Mäori Trust Board, representing the 12 iwi of Hauraki (shareholder)
 Ngäi Tamanuhiri Whänui Trust (shareholder)
 Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (shareholder)
 Ngäti Tama Manawhenua Ki te Tau Ihu Trust (shareholder)
 Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu (shareholder)
 Ngäti Wai Trust Board
 Te Rünanga o Ngäti Porou
 Te Rünanga o Türanga Nui a Kiwa
 Moriori Tchakat Henu Association of Rekohu Inc
 Rongowhakaata
 Te Aitanga a Mahaki
 Ngäti Kuia
 Ngäti Apa Ki Te Waipounamu
 Ngäti Rarua

The Coalition’s mission is to represent the interests of iwi seeking to secure allocation of fisheries assets held by the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. These assets were transferred to the Commission prior to and upon the landmark fisheries Settlement between Mäori and the Crown in 1992. Their allocation to iwi will complete the settlement process.

Currently, the Coalition is focussing on the allocation of “pre-settlement” assets, transferred to the Commission in 1989. Until these are allocated, the “post-settlement“ assets cannot be allocated either.

The agreed model for allocation to iwi is the Optimum Allocation Model, which was agreed to by 76 percent of iwi representing more than 63 percent of Mäori.

Because the implementation of this model is being held up by the technical legal challenges of a few individuals, the Coalition is urging the Government to legislate to give effect to it. This would involve the amendment of the Mäori Fisheries Act 1989 to clarify that the Commission is empowered to make an allocation of the assets.

Delay is destroying Mäori wealth at the rate of around one million dollars a month and threatens to destroy up to $84 million of Mäori wealth by 2006. The legal action being taken by the few individuals could lead to further delays for many years. Other legal action is also possible extending into perpetuity.

The Board of the Treaty Tribes Coalition is Harry Mikaere (Chairman, Hauraki Mäori Trust Board), David Higgins (Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu), Ngahiwi Tomoana (Ngäti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated), Dawn Pomana (Ngäi Tamanuhiri Whänui Trust) Fred Te Miha (Ngäti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tau Ihu Trust).

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