Is Ngati Kahu's Claim Settled? Not yet!

What is the problem? Apparently the Minister of Treaty settlements is not happy with the "partial settlement" proposal that includes cross claims from the rohe of our whanaunga such as Te Oneroa A Tohe, Te Aupouri Forest and Maungataniwha. I can see where he's coming from. He wants a full and final settlement and so do I. We have wasted enough time trying to get one. Surely it was obvious he wouldn't agree. The proposal as outlined in the Runanga's mail out was chock full for a "partial settlement." Briefly the structure of management was as follows:

Ngati kahu Iwi:
Nga Hapu Me Nga Marae O Mamaru Waka
Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngati Kahu

Secretariat Management

Various boards and Companies

In the space available I can't do the proposal justice but already it is obvious that such a one will be unwieldy and costly. Since the Runanga has turned down a substantial financial offer ($23m?) as part of the claim then there is no money to fund this edifice initially. The structure could be simplified and the Runanga deleted in favour of a Hapu Council:

ie
Ngati Kahu Iwi

Settlement Trust: 7 members elected by beneficiaries Holds ALL the Assets And establishes and funds the electoral process. This Trust has a fixed term of Two years to do the job. It becomes defunct and assets become those of the Council.
Kaunihera Or Hapu Council Of Ngati Kahu:
Once established it receives all the assets held by the Settlement Trust; elected by the beneficiaries for a four year term: 12 Members: elected by the beneficiaries of each hapu marae and 7 elected at large by the beneficiaries.

Council Appoints the Boards, Companies etc and Employs the Management and Administration. Note: A Commercial Arm must be separate and its kaupapa must be "Business".

The negotiators must go back to the five iwi forum to negotiate these cross claims on the basis of whanaungatanga, aroha and kotahitanga not to mention good faith. Compromises must be made and egoes set aside. That shouldn't be too hard for people who purport to come from Te Ao Maori. In the meantime like I said the opportunity cost of NOT settling gets bigger each day.