Waikato-Tainui Commemorates 20 Years of Raupatu Settlement   30 Apr 2015

2015 marks the 20th anniversary of Waikato-Tainui settling its Treaty of Waitangi Raupatu claim and the iwi is encouraging all people to join with it to commemorate this significant milestone.

Rahui Papa, chairman of the tribe’s executive committee Te Arataura, said a range of key events will be held to acknowledge the anniversary, which he describes as an opportunity to revisit the meaning of the Raupatu and its defining place within the history of Waikato-Tainui and New Zealand.

The first event will be held on Friday 22 May 2015, exactly 20 years since Waikato-Tainui and the Government signed the Deed of Settlement, bringing to an end 132 years of grievance following the devastating Land Wars and confiscation of 1.2 million acres of land.

“2015 is a time for reflection, remembrance, and commemoration. We must not forget the price our people paid as a result of the Land Wars, the deaths that resulted, and the widespread deprivation from the loss of land and the economic base it provided,” ,” said Mr Papa.

“And we mustn’t forget the courage and determination of all those who led our iwi to settlement and an apology; enabling us to address our mamae and to move forward.”

Mr Papa said the settlement has resulted in the transformation of Waikato-Tainui, which in two decades has developed into a significant contributor to the Waikato and New Zealand economies through its commercial, social, cultural and environmental endeavours.

“The settlement has been good for us and it’s been good for all New Zealanders. Through these events we will properly commemorate the Raupatu and provide an opportunity for others, especially the younger generation, to learn about what happened and why it is relevant. This is a kaupapa that must remain uppermost in all our hearts and minds,” Mr Papa said.

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