About the Settlement Process

Treaty of Waitangi Settlement

	The Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations being shown exactly where the Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu rohe lies.

Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu Trust is a member of the large natural grouping, Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga, which also comprises Te Atiawa Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu Trust, Ngāti Rārua Iwi Trust, Ngāti Koata Iwi Trust and the Wakatū Incorporation, who represent Wai 56 claimants. The combined tribal area of the Tainui Taranaki iwi covers the top of the South Island. According to the 2006 Census the four iwi had a combined population approximately of 6,000 people.

The Waitangi Tribunal heard the Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu claim in February 2001, released preliminary reports in 2007 and a final report in November 2008.

On 3 October 2006, the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and the Minister of Māori Affairs recognized the mandate of Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga to represent the four Tainui Taranaki iwi in negotiating a comprehensive historical Treaty settlement. The Crown signed Terms of Negotiation with Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga on 27 November 2007.

On 11 February 2009, the Crown and Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga co-signed a Letter of Agreement. Ngāti Tama negotiators, Fred Te Miha and Robert McKewen, have now developed a detailed Deed of Settlement based on this agreement, and also post-settlement governance arrangements to receive and manage the redress. The members of Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu Trust will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to accept the Crown’s offer as set out in the Deed of Settlement, and on post-settlement governance arrangements. If ratified, the Deed will be signed and the settlement will be implemented and the redress transferred following the passage of settlement legislation.

	Ngāti Tama Claim Area

The negotiations were carried out on behalf of Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu Trust were led by Fred Te Miha as Principle Negotiator, supported by Robert McKewen and Jo Westrupp. Kahui Legal Partner, Jamie Fergusson, and Senior Associates Tira Johnston and Kiri Albert, also provided support to the negotiating team.

The Office of Treaty Settlements, with the support of Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, the Treasury and other government agencies, represented the Crown in day-to-day negotiations. The Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Hon. Christopher Finlayson, and his predecessor Hon. Dr Michael Cullen, represented the Crown in high-level negotiations with Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tauihu Trust.

Fred Te Miha and Rob McKewen initialled the Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Deed of Settlement with the Crown on 7 October 2011, signalling that Treaty negotiations are complete.

Deed of Settlement

Speeches from the Signing Ceremony, 20th April 2013, Onetahua Marae.

Deed of Settlement Documents

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