Ngāti Kahungunu assert ownership rights to electricity SOEs

Monday, 10 September 2012, 4:31 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Media Release – 10 September 2012

Ngāti Kahungunu assert ownership rights to electricity SOEs

Ngāti Kahungunu are asserting their ownership rights to electricity state owned assets following a hui-a-iwi in Hawke’s Bay at the weekend. The kaupapa that emerged was, ‘Kei te iwi te mahi, kei te hapū te mana’.

Ngāti Kahungunu Chairman and Iwi Leaders Forum member, Ngahiwi Tomoana, said “The Government has a long established history of recognising Ngāti Kahungunu ownership to water bodies used to generate hydro-electricity for state owned companies. For this reason we have requested a meeting to discuss the direct interests of Ngāti Kahungunu in the water bodies used by the electricity SOE’s.”

“Genesis Energy operate a hydro-dam on Lake Waikaremoana. Hapu of Ngāti Kahungunu will be directly impacted by the Government’s plans to partially privatise Genesis Energy. Since 1918 the Government and the Courts have recognised Ngāti Kahungunu and other iwi ownership rights to the Lake”, said Mr Tomoana.

“Through the Government’s own actions, hapu of Ngāti Kahungunu now have direct interests in the three power stations at Mangakino operated by Might River Power. In the 1880’s, the Government wanted Lake Wairarapa so it relocated the Ngāti Kahungunu people over to Mangakino in 1925. Our people didn’t want to go, but for now that is where our people are and their rights to the river must be upheld and respected” said Mr Tomoana.

Ngāti Kahungunu received unanimous support to take forward a claim on freshwater at a hui-a-iwi held at the weekend at Omahu Marae in Hawke’s Bay.
Ngāti Kahungunu have the second largest tribal area and third largest tribal population in New Zealand.

ENDS

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