In this blog I will discuss problems arising for whanau, hapu (sub-tribe), and iwi (tribe) involved in the treaty negotiations process; with specific reference to one of my own hapu: Ngati Kurupakiaka (koo-doo-paar-key-ah-car).
The treaty negotiations process is a significant step for Maori to take in the proper restoration of lands and taonga that were unjustly stolen from them by the Crown. It’s an arduous ordeal that Maori can ill afford to proceed with lightly. Unfortunately for my own hapu the saddest problem it inflicts upon itself – causing them to enter into pre-negotiations bewildered and ambiguous as to what these processes are – is ignorance and also lack of understanding.
But, has the Crown made this process easier for Maori, aside from the fact that it provides an unsubstantial amount of money and resources for research into our claims, in which it should? Absolutely not! The Crown has dished out stringent guidelines and “preferences” for each iwi, hapu and whanau, affected by its actions which have breached the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, to follow although it is the Crown’s misconduct.
An example of this is the Crown’s expectation to redress all historical treaty grievances by 2014. Another example of this is the Crown’s “preference” to negotiate claims with large natural groupings (LNG) rather than individual whanau and hapu (although in some circumstances, it may be possible to deal with distinct hapu or whanau interests that are separate from the main tribal claims within a settlement). These “speedy guidelines” have caused for individual whanau and hapu, including Ngati Kurupakiaka, to feel that if they don’t hurry along to meet the Crown’s stringent rules, they will miss out on any hopes of claim settlement. As a result of this, we are walking into hapu and mandating meetings voting on motions that effectively are subject to harming the progression of the hapu to treaty settlement.
Oha Manuel of Ngati Kurupakiaka expressed her view saying that the treaty grievance processes were dictated to Maori and were not negotiated between Maori and the Crown. “The Crown more or less has said, we want to redress grievances caused by us towards Maori; this is the way we will do it and these are the rules”. That is that! She also says that the Crown is not forth coming with adequate resources for Maori to do this. “The Crown is in a better position to say this is how we wronged you, this is what we can offer to you to make amends, do you accept?” She also supports allegations that say treaty claims that have been settled to date are but a mere 2% - 4% of what was actually stolen by the Crown.
These processes allow other whanau, hapu and large natural groupings to disrespect tikanga tangata whenua in many ways. One example of this is the mandating processes towards direct negotiations, where the large natural grouping is able to trample on the ahi kaa roa/ahi kaa (home people) by obtaining votes from members of the hapu who live away from the whenua to mandate their large natural group; whether ahi kaa have given their mandate or not.
Because of the Crown’s “preference” to negotiate with LNG’s, Kurupakiaka has opted to be a part of the LNG Te Tira Whakaemi O Te Wairoa (Te Tira). Te Tira also comprises 6 other claimant hapu/groups in the Wairoa District. Let me introduce the parties involved in this problem for Kurupakiaka:
· Ngati Kurupakiaka:
My hapu or sub-tribe, who in this case is the claimant. Kurupakiaka’s stronghold is based at Taihoa Marae beneath the mana of the eponymous ancestor, Te Kawiti.
· Te Tira Whakaemi O Te Wairoa (Te Tira):
An umbrella name for The Large Natural Grouping, comprising six various iwi and hapu of the Wairoa District, including Ngati Kurupakiaka, entering into direct negotiations with the Crown to seek a “comprehensive settlement” (settlement of all the historical claims of a claimant group at the same time) of all their historical claims. However, Te Tira is the mandated body, made up of three reps from each hapu within the LNG, to enter into direct negotiations with the Crown. They were formally known in the earlier stages of their instigation as the Wairoa District Working Group.
· Wairoa Waikaremoana Maori Trust Board:
One of the six (6) original claimant groups in the LNG. WWMTB was initially the representative group for Ngati Kurupakiaka at the Te Tira table. However, Kurupakiaka has since mandated its own representatives to the table.
· The Crown: The “Dicktatorship”
Check out this website giving differing views on the treatment of the treaty settlements process:
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/tag/treaty_negotiations
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1 comment:
Seems to be a stray K in your heading.
The crown, ought also to provide resources for Tangata whenua, to verify whether the crown's offer for redress is a just and fair offer.
Initally Kurupakiaka had their own mandated representatives seeking inclusion on Te Tira and it seems via the deed of mandate that they were accepted onto the Te Tira table back in 2005 or ealier.
Some time later, the Trust Board was asked by some of the hapu representatives, to represent the hapu.
In March 2009 at a hapu meeting, a resolution was passed by two elders.
In effect this resolution resolved that the hapu go to direct negotiations and mandate their own representatives to the Te Tira table, with the Trust board not under the Trust board.
The fact that this resolution was tabled by the elder members of the hapu indicates that they were at the helm of this movement. One could say that they are not the loyalist to the Trust Board.
Moreover, making this move does not mean kurupakiaka were not loyal to the trust board. And I would hope visa versa. Although some people in both parties may have viewed it in that manner.
Some hapu members were merely wanting their intial position re instated(their representatives at the table). They were unaware that their position had ever changed.
The younger membership of the hapu that were up with what was going on and who agreed with the motion, were never of the opinion that they were going against the Trust board. Never. So who invented that idea????
Yes! communication.
There was a virus in communications.
Maybe "The idea" was the virus.
The virus coupled with the lack of communication on all levels, added to the misunderstandings, between people involved within both, the hapu and the Trust Board.
Consequently, bad feelings presented themselves.
What a waste of time. But I suppose they know what they are doing.
Communication is good, if given the time needed, to do so with respect.
Done in haste is a waste.
Gives grounds for mistakes.
TAIHOA - Patience, Take heed.
Lest we forget.
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