Rā Maumahara Friday 26 May 2023
The Ra Maumahara was held on the day before the signing. It was the day when whānau embraced photos of their loved ones, shared whakapapa, shed tears, the sorrow and grief as one. It was the day when we came together as Whakatōhea Iwi to memorialise our people, our history, and our journey to Settlement.
Deed of Settlement Signed 27 May 2023
Te Whakataunga o Te Raupatu Whenua
Te Whakataunga o Te Raupatu Whenua Deed of Settlement Signed Saturday 27 May 2023. Exactly 183 years to the day over 500 whānau, manuhiri including Kingi Tūheitia and the wider Ōpōtiki community gathered at Whitikau on the 27th of May 2023 to witness the signing of the Settlement between Te Whakatōhea and the Crown. We gathered to not just come to witness the pen to paper, but also to hear the Crown acknowledge injustices inflicted on Te Whakatōhea, and to hear the Crown apologise for some of the most horrific acts upon tangata whenua.
If you wish to read the booklet for this commemorative day you can follow the link below.
Te Whakataunga o te Raupatu Whenua commemorative booklet
TWOTRW Booklet
Ka rangaranga te muri, ka rangaranga te mua: Reconciliation. Crown Apology to te Whakatōhea
To ngā uri o Te Whakatōhea, to ngā tīpuna and ngā mokopuna.
When Whakatōhea Rangatira signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi, they did so in a spirit of trust and co-operation, with a view to the benefits Treaty partnership could bring to their people. The Crown betrayed that trust by waging war and confiscating Whakatōhea land in a raupatu for which the Crown alone is responsible. The Crown’s actions caused significant loss of life, devastated Whakatōhea communities, created conflict between Whakatōhea hapū and whānau, and led to the loss of mātauranga Whakatōhea which is still felt today.
The Crown apologises to the rangatira who died at its hands. The Crown apologises to ngā uri o Te Whakatōhea, who have lived with economic, cultural and spiritual loss and deprivation as a result of the Crown’s actions. The Crown has failed to uphold its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and brought dishonour upon itself. For its breaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi, and for the pain it has caused Whakatōhea through its acts and omissions, the Crown is deeply sorry.
The Crown pays tribute to the resilience of ngā uri o Te Whakatōhea, who have strived for justice and fought to retain and rebuild Whakatōheatanga over generations. Through this settlement, the Crown hopes to honour the promise of partnership it made with Whakatōhea in 1840. Let us look forward to a future of prosperity for the people of Whakatōhea and move towards it together in a spirit of good faith, partnership and respect for te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi .
Deed of Settlement
The Deed of Settlement is legally binding and represents the full and final agreement to settle the historical breaches by the Crown against Whakatōhea and creates the ongoing basis of the relationship between Whakatōhea and the Crown.
The agreed Deed of Settlement includes the Crown Apology, Cultural Redress and Financial and Commercial redress. Whakatōhea negotiated its Settlement package based on our strategy of Mana Tangata, Mana Whenua and Mana Moana.
Read a summary of the deed of settlement in the link below:
DOS Summary
Mana Whenua
Mana Whenua
Mana whenua focuses on the whenua that will be returned to Te Whakatōhea and initiatives that support our kaitiakitanga.
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Establishment of the Whakatōhea Kaitiaki Forum
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The return of whenua totalling 6692ha
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Whakatōhea Chapter in the BOP Conservation Management Strategy
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Decision-making Framework and Cultural Materials Plan
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Right of first refusal over Crown lands and opportunity to purchase properties, including school sites
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Reserve Land Development Fund (Opape & Hiwarau)
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Statutory acknowledgements over our awa
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Return of key cultural sites
Whenua
There are a large number of land blocks coming back to Whakatōhea including scenic reserves, conservation areas, and sites of significance. It is important to note how and who manages these land blocks is a discussion for hapū to have post settlement.
The table attached here outlines where the 6692ha of whenua is.
Mana Moana
Mana Moana
Mana Moana focuses on the sustainability of our moana as well as the opportunity to grow our existing aquaculture initiatives.
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5000ha marine space reserved for aquaculture development
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Marine and harbour development fund to support resource consent applications and activities around the harbour precinct
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Participation in Iwi Fisheries Forum
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Development of Iwi Fisheries Plan › Right of First Refusal over species introduced into fisheries quota system
The Settlement will reserve 5000ha of marine space for aquaculture development. This is the first time that marine space has been included in an Iwi Settlement. We have identified two areas, 2000ha in front of the existing mussel farm (Eastern Seafarms 3800ha – 54% owned by Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board) and another 3000ha to the west of the existing farm.
We have already consented 957ha (Ōpōtiki Seafarm – 100% owned by Whakatōhea through Pakihi Trading Company) and have consent applications in place for the remaining space. There is $2m allocated towards supporting the costs of gaining these consents and the harbour development but we have been able to progress these processes in advance by using other Crown funds (PGF).
Mana Tangata
Mana Tangata
Mana Tangata focuses on initiatives that support the development of our people and culture and will maintain the continued growth of our Iwi.
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Commitments from the Tertiary Education Commission to work with Whakatōhea
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Education Endowment Fund
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Te Reo Revitalisation Fund
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Cultural Revitalisation Fund
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Relationship Agreements with Government Agencies includes process of engagement after completion of Waitangi Tribunal report
The Settlement will reserve 5000ha of marine space for aquaculture development. This is the first time that marine space has been included in an Iwi Settlement. We have identified two areas, 2000ha in front of the existing mussel farm (Eastern Seafarms 3800ha – 54% owned by Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board) and another 3000ha to the west of the existing farm. We have already consented 957ha (Ōpōtiki Seafarm – 100% owned by Whakatōhea through Pakihi Trading Company) and have consent applications in place for the remaining space. There is $2m allocated towards supporting the costs of gaining these consents and the harbour development but we have been able to progress these processes in advance by using other Crown funds (PGF). A key focus for our people was education and gaining the skills necessary to get good jobs. This will be supported through an education endowment fund and the first ever Settlement relationship with the Tertiary Education Commission. Revitalisation of Te Reo and Culture were also key themes for whānau, so there are specific initiatives to support Te Reo initiatives and support for Whakatōhea marae. The Whakatōhea Ratification Information Booklet 2022 is another good source of information on the Settlement.