On behalf of the Rangitane Settlement Negotiations Trust   29 Jul 2016

On behalf of the Rangitane Settlement Negotiations Trust

29 July 2016

Approval received for Rangitane Settlement

Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki nui-a-Rua have today confirmed they have received sufficient support from their iwi members to allow their Treaty of Waitangi Settlement to go ahead.

Approval has been received from the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Christopher Finlayson, and Minister for Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Crown is set to join Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki nui-a-Rua to sign the official Deed of Settlement at a ceremony in Dannevirke on 6 August 2016.

The Settlement will provide financial redress of $32.5 million and the transfer to iwi of seven Crown-owned sites of cultural significance.

The terms of the Settlement were negotiated by Rangitane Settlement Negotiations Trust and presented to iwi members over a series of sevenratification hui in May and June.

Rangitane Settlement Negotiations Trust Lead Negotiator, Jason Kerehi, says this Settlement is a real achievement for the people of Rangitane o Wairarapa and Rangitane o Tamaki nui-a-Rua.

“We are delighted that our people have shown their support for this Settlement, which our kaumatua and kuia have worked hard for so many years to bring to the region,” he says.

“To be able to realise this opportunity is crucial, not only for our cultural and economic future but also for our wider communities.”

Rangitane leader, Manahi Paewai, says the Settlement will be a catalyst for Rangitane to realise the dreams and aspirations of the iwi.

“Our iwi has united to make this Settlement a reality. This is about being empowered and invigorating our cultural identity as we start the journey into our post-Settlement phase.

“It acknowledges us as Tangata Whenua of the region, which is vital because that has been confused by some, including the Crown, for generations.”

ENDS

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