What Is A Mandate, Atihana?

Atihana: Well it is the way in which the Crown; Government: Office Of Treaty Settlements; Minister of Treaty Settlements decide who the claimants are for a particular claim registered with them such as Wai 45 which was originally registered by Rt.Hon. Matiu Rata for Muriwhenua Iwi.

Question: But isn't that a Crown/Government initiated process, Atihana?

Atihana: Yes it is, but so was the setting up of the Waitangi Tribunal which listens to claims lodged such as Wai 45. I went and took part in some of those hearings in Muriwhenua.

Question: What did the Tribunal decide after all the hearings were completed?

Atihana: They contracted researchers to research the claim and they recorded everything said at the hearings for Wai 45. Then Dr. Evelyn Stokes of the Tribunal wrote the "Muriwhenua Lands Report." 1997. This became the basis of the claim.

Question: Then what happened Atihana?

Atihana: Excellent question. Groups suspicious of Matiu Rata and the Muriwhenua Runanga fought each other for the MANDATE to negotiate with the Crown. The then Minister and Labour Govt. didn't really want to settle with Muriwhenua who were claiming the same as Tainui and Ngai Tahu.

Question: So what happened then, Atihana?

Atihana: Another good question! He piiki whawhai led by Ngati Kahu. Gradually each iwi (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto and Ngati Kuri and Ngati Kahu) decided to negotiate their own part of Wai 45 and were mandated to do so by the incoming Labour Govt. and Rt. Hon. Micheal Cullen became the Minister.

Question: And then what Atihana?

Atihana: You are getting better. Well, to cut a long story short everyone has settled except Ngati Kahu. 

Question: But...but...Bloody hell! Why not?

Atihana: Haua hoki. Patai kia ratou.

Question: So what now, Atihana?

Atihana: Those with the MANDATE will lose it which provides other Ngati Kahu groups to organise and seek the MANDATE to negotiate a settlement with the Crown based on the Crown's 2013 offer to Ngati Kahu.

Question: But is it worth it?

Atihana: Compared to the other four iwi settlements yes it is, but compared to what we have lost, hell no. 

Question: So why don't we go for what we are due?

Atihana: No one can calculate what that is in today's values. We can grow what we get to make the rawa and putea larger. Other iwi like Tainui have. They have also made a big contribution to the education of Tainui students. But the longer we stuff around the more we lose in "opportunity cost" that we won't get back. 

Question: Enough! What can I do, Atihana? I'm only one person.

Atihana: Tell your marae/hapu that you want a FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT. And support those who want to seek a MANDATE to negotiate.