What's Up Ngati Kahu Runanga?

I refer to our Treaty Claim not yet settled compared to our whanaunga of Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto and Ngati Kuri.  Given our current leadership and inability to negotiate in good faith with the Crown I would certainly not claim that we are right and the other four are wrong. However we are led to believe that Ngati Kahu wants only a partial settlement. I have seen the Crown's offer for a settlement given to the Runanga in 2013 and received by me only in December 2014 via Ngati Tara. The difference between a full settlement and a partial one is like getting the whole cake or only a bit of it. Timoti Hetaraka puts it more succinctly; a partial settlement means no to  any settlement. I do not know the details of the bit of cake but since the Crown has already said NO to it we are wasting Ngati Kahu's time and resources on it. 

So what's the full settlement offer then Atihana? It's detailed and you will need to look up the offer. Ask the Runanga for it and the Minister's letter. Or better still contact the Office of the Minister of Treaty Settlements. I will try and find the links. Briefly; Ngati Kahu gets;

1. Some Crown properties "in fee simple" such as Taumarumaru at the end of Coopers Beach. 

2. Other Crown properties in our Ngati Kahu Rohe which includes some in Kaitaia.

3. The school properties in the Rohe for which we have to forfeit some of the cash assets. In  return we become the land lords and get paid rents. 

4. Rangiputa Block Farm. We have to pay part of our cash or the quantum (the value of the farm which we can negotiate downwards).

5. Cash assets of $23m.If we invest prudently and not spend it we can grow this annually until we have a large enough income earning asset base.

6. Cultural redress for our Ngati Kahu marae ( This will be money but I don't know how much)

7. A "Korowai" arrangement with other iwi to manage Te Oneroa-A-Tohe (90 Mile Beach)

8. Social & Health Funding in an arrangement with the other four Iwi. They have already started.

9. DOC and Ngati Kahu management of DOC land in Ngati Kahu. This was part of Ngati Kahu's Agreement In Principle signed by the Ngati Kahu Runanga, myself and others at Kareponia. 

This is not the total. We can still negotiate some changes that will benefit us and that's where we should be instead of wasting time on a bit of  cake or at Iwi Chairs Forums in Ngapuhi. If you see this offer as a pittance compared to what the Crown and colonisation took from us since 1840 then you are right. However whether you think so or not it's close to the best deal we can expect and we have to get real about it. So what do you think then Atihana? I say go back into negotiations promptly. But if the Runanga still thinks a bit of cake is worth more than the whole cake then we will have to by pass them and those in Ngati Kahu who want a full settlement should go and get one.

Noho ora mai

Atihana