Waitangi Tribunal ruling upheld for Whakatōhea claimants

"Ngāi Tama Haua Hapū of Whakatōhea are pleased to advise that Deputy Chief Judge Savage has ruled in favour of the applications granting an Urgent hearing into the Crowns recognition of the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust Board (PSCT) Mandate." says Peter Selwyn in a public statement yesterday.

Ngāi Tama Haua Hapū assert that the progression of our Te Tiriti claims inside our Sovereign territories including the area of the Opotiki township by the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) are being prejudiced by the actions of the PSCT, Office of Treaty Settlements, Te Puni Kōkiri, the Opotiki District Council (ODC) proposed harbour development, proposed district plan and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) proposed Coastal plan.

Ngāi Tama Haua Hapū (Sovereign) are aware the PSCT and OTS as agent of the Crown are negotiating agreements to recognise each other in a Whakatōhea iwi (tribe) settlement based on the PSCT Mandate Judge Savage has criticised in his ruling which we strongly object to also due to the conflicts of interest between these parties outside of the Treaty Settlement arena.

Attorney General Chris Finlayson (National Party) and Minister of Maori Affairs Te Ururoa Flavell (Maori Party) have shown a lack of good faith towards Ngāi Tama Haua Hapū through this process to date which has also strained relationships inside Whakatōhea as a consequence.

"We acknowledge the continuing effort of Ngāi Tama Haua Hapū and other Claimant groups who give tirelessly to ensure the rights of our Hapū and Whanau are upheld" says Peter Selwyn, Chairman of Ngai Tama Haua

ENDS

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