Our Settlement Process
Background
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 established the Waitangi Tribunal and provided a forum whereby Maori who felt they had been unjustifiably affected by the actions (or inactions) of the Crown could lodge a claim of grievance with the Tribunal.
The Tribunal could investigate the claim and recommend a resolution. The Crown Forest Assets Act 1989 restricted the ability of the Crown to sell or dispose of Crown forest licensed (CFL) lands, providing opportunity for claimants to seek the return of those lands. Rentals payable by forest owners were held in trust by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust until title to those lands was determined.
It was against this background that the TPT journey began.
- 2002
- Treaty Minister Wilson announces the government is ready to settle the historic Treaty claims of Central North Island (CNI) iwi through direct negotiations.
- 2003
- 43 mandating hui elect Nga Kaihautu O Te Arawa (the Kaihautu) representatives.
- 16 September – the Kaihautu Executive Council (the KEC) is mandated to negotiate settlement of the Affiliate’s historic Treaty claims.
- 1 October – the KEC holds its inaugural meeting.
- 2004
- 12 February – the KEC establishes a common law trust under a Deed of Trust.
- 1 April – the Crown approves the KEC Deed of Mandate.
- Challenges against the KEC mandate are heard by the Waitangi Tribunal. Following a reconfirmation process, the mandate is upheld.
- 25 November – the KEC and the Crown sign Terms of Negotiation.
- 2005
- The negotiations provide opportunity for KEC Affiliates to “Tell Their Stories” to Crown Ministers and officials. Officials are taken to sites of special cultural and historical significance to the Affiliates. An Agreement in Principle (AIP) settlement package is negotiated.
- 5 September – the KEC and the Crown sign the AIP.
- 2006
- Negotiations for a comprehensive settlement package, the Deed of Settlement (the DOS), are completed. A post-settlement governance entity (PSGE) proposal is developed. The DOS is ratified by 96% and the PSGE by 92%.
- 30 September – the KEC and the Crown sign the 2006 Deed of Settlement.
- 1 December – the KEC is disestablished and replaced by Te Pumautanga O Te Arawa Trust (TPT). The KEC representatives transition into the new trustees and sign the Deed of Covenant.
- TPT helps establish legal entities to receive settlement benefits on behalf of Affiliates.
- 2007
- A Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry recommends changes to the settlement.
- The High Court and Court of Appeal dismiss challenges to the TPT settlement.
- Te Ariki Tumu Te Heuheu leads CNI iwi in negotiations over the CNI Crown forest licensed lands.
- TPT enters into parallel negotiations with the Crown seeking enhancements to its 2006 settlement while engaging with the CNI.TPT reports on the KEC activities from 2003 to 2006.
- 2008
- Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao and Ngati Whakaue negotiate the acquisition of Te Puia, vesting the Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs and the Roto-a-Tamaheke Reserves, and four Arikikapakapa blocks in a joint trust. A Deed of Settlement is signed in August.
- TPT and Raukawa jointly negotiate a co-management framework over the upper catchment, Waikato River.
- TPT negotiates a revised settlement, which is ratified by 97%.
- 11 June – the 2008 TPT Deed of Settlement is signed.
- 24 June – the TPT settlement Bill is introduced into Parliament and passes the first reading.
- 25 June – TPT joins CNI iwi in signing the CNI Deed of Settlement. The CNI settlement Bill is introduced into Parliament and passes the first reading.
- 25 September – the TPT settlement Bill and the CNI settlement Bill pass into legislation after their third readings. The Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve and the Roto-a-Tamaheke Reserve Vesting Bill Is introduced into Parliament and passes its first reading.
- 12 October – TPT is mandated to negotiate the Ruamata Marae Airspace claim.
- 2009
- TPT and the Crown work through an implementation plan in preparation for transfer of settlements assets on 1 July for CNI and 2 July for TPT.
- CNI develops structures to receive the settlement.
- The Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve and the Roto-a-Tamaheke Reserve Vesting Bill is before the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
- 11 June – the 2008 TPT Deed of Settlement is signed.
- 1 April – title to four geothermal wells in Ngatamariki field transfer to TPT. Treaty Minister Finlayson establishes a panel to review agreements with respect to co-management frameworks over the Waikato River.
- TPT engages a project team to prepare for the CNI Mana Whenua process.
- The Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve and the Roto-a-Tamaheke Reserve Vesting Act passes into legislation after its third reading.
- TPT begins negotiation over the acquisition of the three remaining deferred selection properties – a MSD residential property in Owhata, a 68ha dairy farm run-off in Horohoro and 1,450ha forest block in Mamaku.
- The process for electing the inaugural TPT trustees begins.
- 2010
- TPT begins work on a strategy for Te Arawa geothermal energy development inviting Te Arawa land trusts to a workshop.
- TPT holds its annual two-day strategic planning workshop.
- 9 March – the Te Arawa Rver Iwi Trust (TARIT) signs a Deed in Relation to a Co Management Framework for the Waikato River. The Deed covers the upper catchment of the River from Huka Falls to Atiamuri.