Minister’s Visit to Omaka Officially Marks the Start of Kurahaupo Negotiations
August 8th 2006

The Hon Mark Burton, Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, was today welcomed onto Omaka Marae in Blenheim to officially mark the commencement of settlement negotiations between the Kurahaupo Ki Te Waipounamu Trust and the Crown.

The Kurahaupo Trust formally received a mandate to negotiate on behalf of three Iwi from the northern South Island, Ngati Apa Ki Te Rato, Ngati Kuia and Rangitane o Wairau, last November. This process moved a step closer with the signing of the Kurahaupo Terms of Negotiation with the Crown on June 20th. Today’s hui provided an opportunity for representatives of each of the three Kurahaupo Iwi, whose combined tribal area covers the entire top of the South Island, to meet the Minister and other Crown officials and present the Kurahaupo Iwi perspective.

The Ministerial party entering Omaka Marae at the hui to mark the commencement of negotiations

Chairperson of the Kurahaupo Trust, Richard Bradley, said that Kurahaupo came to the negotiations as three Iwi who have committed to work together for the interests of their people. “We are determined to achieve settlements that restore the mana, presence and economic base of each of Ngati Apa, Ngati Kuia and Rangitane. Each of our constituent Iwi have valid historical claims that primarily stem from the failure of the Crown to adequately recognise their customary rights through the operation of native land laws. By combining our efforts as Kurahaupo we create a powerful momentum to settle each of these claims successfully – for our ancestors, for our mokopuna and for all those who follow us,” he said.

Kath Hemi, Sharyn Smith and Judith MacDonald, respective chairs of the Ngāti Apa Ki Te Waipoumanu Trust, Te Runanga o Ngati Kuia Trust and Te Runanga A Rangitane o Wairau, each signed the Terms of Negotiation on behalf of Kurahaupo, and individually addressed the Minister during today’s presentations. Each commented that they look forward to positive negotiations so that a resolution to grievances dating back more than 150 years can be reached for their respective Iwi – and as a part of that, to the creation of opportunities for their future generations to play a prominent and contributory role in their communities.

Kurahaupo negotiations are the first settlement negotiations relating to the South Island since the Ngai Tahu settlement in 1997 and the Trust has signaled its intent to establish new benchmarks in the settlement process. Already the alliance has progressed with significant momentum. Representatives of Ngati Apa, Ngati Kuia and Rangitane formed the Kurahaupo Trust in December 2004 for the purpose of securing comprehensive and enduring Treaty of Waitangi settlements for their people. Since then the Trust has achieved rapid progress; receiving a formal mandate to represent the three Iwi, and then reaching agreement with the Crown on the Terms of Negotiation within 18 months.
“We set out on the path to settlement in the knowledge that we had a major mountain to climb,” said Richard Bradley. “By combining our efforts we have harnessed incredible energy, commitment and professionalism which will continue to be a hallmark of the Kurahaupo settlement throughout negotiations.”

Participants at the official ceremony August 8th Omaka Marae to mark the commencement of Kurahaupo negoiations

Mr Bradley said that Kurahaupo enters negotiations having undertaken substantial preparation. He noted that there is an inherent imbalance in favour of the Crown due to its resource base and years of experience in settlement negotiations, however Kurahaupo will come to the negotiating table ready to negotiate on equal terms with the Crown. Following a publicly notified call for registrations of interest the Trust has appointed Richard Bradley (Rangitane), Peter Mason (Ngati Apa) and Mark Moses (Ngati Kuia) as the team responsible for negotiating the settlement proposals for Ngati Apa, Ngati Kuia and Rangitane on behalf of Kurahaupo, and it has also retained specialist advisors who will play a vital role in equipping the negotiating team to achieve a successful outcome. 

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For further information:
Richard Bradley, Chairperson, Kurahaupo Trust
Tel (03) 5791942 / 0274 731785