Questions and Answers
_What is the Te Rarawa Settlement about?
The settlement is about addressing specific grievances that hapū/marae have put forward about the actions and inactions of the Crown from 1840 to 1992. Most of these grievances relate to the loss of land but the Settlement also addresses social, cultural and environmental issues.
Will Te Rarawa be extinguishing its rights by signing a final settlement with the Crown?
This settlement deals with historical grievances relating to Crown acts or omissions between 1840 and 1992 that Te Rarawa has included in its historical claims. These claims and grievances will be deemed to be settled. The Settlement does not however affect the existence of aboriginal title or customary rights. The settlement will still allow Te Rarawa to pursue claims against the Crown for acts or omissions after 21 September 1992, as well as claims based on the continued existence of aboriginal title of customary rights.
How does this affect the WAI 262 Flora and Fauna and Cultural Intellectual Property Claim?
Te Rarawa and five other Iwi lodged the WAI 262 claim in 1990. The Tribunal has heard the claim and finally reported on the contemporary aspects of it in 2011. If Te Rarawa’s deed of settlement is ratified and passed into law, it will not stop Te Rarawa remaining a party to the WAI 262 claim and any remedies that might be developed to deal with the contemporary aspects. It will settle any historical aspects of the WAI 262 claim relating to Crown acts or omissions prior to 1992 to the extent that they relate to beneficiaries of the Te Rarawa Deed of Settlement.
How does this impact on our involvement with the WAI 1040 Whakaputunga and Te Tiriti claims?
He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims were heard by the Waitangi Tribunal in stage one of its Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry. Te Rarawa participated in these hearings. The Tribunal is scheduled to report on these claims in mid-2012. This report will set out whether the claims are well-founded. If the claims are well-founded, the Tribunal may make non-binding recommendations to the Crown on how relief might be provided. If Te Rarawa’s Deed of Settlement is ratified and passed into law, it will not stop Te Rarawa being party to any remedies that might be developed to deal with the contemporary aspects. It will settle any historical aspects relating to Crown acts or omissions prior 1992 of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims to the extent that they relate to beneficiaries of the Te Rarawa Deed of Settlement.
What’s the rush to sign this Settlement? Shouldn’t we wait for a better deal?
This settlement has been part of a process that started more than 30 years ago with the 1975 Land March lead by Dame Whina Cooper and which was continued in the Muriwhenua claims. The negotiations for this settlement have been thorough spanning nearly 10 years. Te Rarawa’s Negotiators believe this is the best deal that Te Rarawa will get from the Crown.
Is the Settlement a just and fair deal?
The Settlement is a good deal but only represents a small portion of what Te Rarawa has lost in its dealings with the Crown. Justice is a relative thing, however this settlement represents the best opportunity that Te Rarawa will have to deal with these historical grievances and move forward.
What will I get from the settlement?
This settlement is for the benefit of all the whānau and hapū of Te Rarawa and affiliated groups. Te Rarawa’s settlement offer is an Iwi one which involves the return of land, cash compensation, the establishment of a number new Treaty based relationships, and partnerships with other Te Hiku Iwi. The Settlement will be managed by Te Rarawa’s tribal authority, Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa which is governed by representatives from our 23 marae. All decisions about the distribution of settlement resources will be made by these Rūnanga delegates. The Rūnanga has developed a strategic plan which is focused on Te Rarawatanga, hapū development, kaitiakitanga and the environment, education, wellbeing and political leadership. From this will flow opportunities for whānau, hapū and marae. Settlement resources will be invested and the profits used to fund Iwi programmes which may include marae development, education grants, environmental projects, and other funding that will benefit, marae, hapū and whānau.
The settlement is about addressing specific grievances that hapū/marae have put forward about the actions and inactions of the Crown from 1840 to 1992. Most of these grievances relate to the loss of land but the Settlement also addresses social, cultural and environmental issues.
Will Te Rarawa be extinguishing its rights by signing a final settlement with the Crown?
This settlement deals with historical grievances relating to Crown acts or omissions between 1840 and 1992 that Te Rarawa has included in its historical claims. These claims and grievances will be deemed to be settled. The Settlement does not however affect the existence of aboriginal title or customary rights. The settlement will still allow Te Rarawa to pursue claims against the Crown for acts or omissions after 21 September 1992, as well as claims based on the continued existence of aboriginal title of customary rights.
How does this affect the WAI 262 Flora and Fauna and Cultural Intellectual Property Claim?
Te Rarawa and five other Iwi lodged the WAI 262 claim in 1990. The Tribunal has heard the claim and finally reported on the contemporary aspects of it in 2011. If Te Rarawa’s deed of settlement is ratified and passed into law, it will not stop Te Rarawa remaining a party to the WAI 262 claim and any remedies that might be developed to deal with the contemporary aspects. It will settle any historical aspects of the WAI 262 claim relating to Crown acts or omissions prior to 1992 to the extent that they relate to beneficiaries of the Te Rarawa Deed of Settlement.
How does this impact on our involvement with the WAI 1040 Whakaputunga and Te Tiriti claims?
He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims were heard by the Waitangi Tribunal in stage one of its Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry. Te Rarawa participated in these hearings. The Tribunal is scheduled to report on these claims in mid-2012. This report will set out whether the claims are well-founded. If the claims are well-founded, the Tribunal may make non-binding recommendations to the Crown on how relief might be provided. If Te Rarawa’s Deed of Settlement is ratified and passed into law, it will not stop Te Rarawa being party to any remedies that might be developed to deal with the contemporary aspects. It will settle any historical aspects relating to Crown acts or omissions prior 1992 of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims to the extent that they relate to beneficiaries of the Te Rarawa Deed of Settlement.
What’s the rush to sign this Settlement? Shouldn’t we wait for a better deal?
This settlement has been part of a process that started more than 30 years ago with the 1975 Land March lead by Dame Whina Cooper and which was continued in the Muriwhenua claims. The negotiations for this settlement have been thorough spanning nearly 10 years. Te Rarawa’s Negotiators believe this is the best deal that Te Rarawa will get from the Crown.
Is the Settlement a just and fair deal?
The Settlement is a good deal but only represents a small portion of what Te Rarawa has lost in its dealings with the Crown. Justice is a relative thing, however this settlement represents the best opportunity that Te Rarawa will have to deal with these historical grievances and move forward.
What will I get from the settlement?
This settlement is for the benefit of all the whānau and hapū of Te Rarawa and affiliated groups. Te Rarawa’s settlement offer is an Iwi one which involves the return of land, cash compensation, the establishment of a number new Treaty based relationships, and partnerships with other Te Hiku Iwi. The Settlement will be managed by Te Rarawa’s tribal authority, Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa which is governed by representatives from our 23 marae. All decisions about the distribution of settlement resources will be made by these Rūnanga delegates. The Rūnanga has developed a strategic plan which is focused on Te Rarawatanga, hapū development, kaitiakitanga and the environment, education, wellbeing and political leadership. From this will flow opportunities for whānau, hapū and marae. Settlement resources will be invested and the profits used to fund Iwi programmes which may include marae development, education grants, environmental projects, and other funding that will benefit, marae, hapū and whānau.