20 November 2003 Media Release

Kaingaroa Forest Claims Accepted for Negotiations

Ngati Whare and Ngati Manawa iwi have today been given the green light by government to begin negotiating their Treaty of Waitangi settlements directly with the Crown.

Te Runanga o Ngati Whare Iwi Trust and Te Runanga o Ngati Manawa have been told by the Office of Treaty Settlements that the Crown has accepted their deed of mandate to negotiate the settlement of all historical claims.

Crown recognition of mandate confirms that both Runanga have a strong support base and that members of the iwi had had all been given the opportunity to be involved in the mandating process.

Crown Forestry Rental Trust Chief Executive, Karen Waterreus said that the Crown accepting the mandates, was a significant milestone for both iwi.

“ Both Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare have worked hard over the past two years to achieve this milestone towards direct negotiations. It is great to see two of the iwi take up the challenge to negotiate directly with the Crown.”

The claims to be negotiated are all claims registered or unregistered that occurred prior to 1992. Ngati Whare have registered claims for Wai 66, 212, 350, 439, 724, 725,1038 plus others that are not registered. Ngati Manawa claims include Wai 212; 257; 350; 439; 724; 787; 823 and any other Wai claims as far as they relate to Ngati Manawa.

Both Ngati Whare and Ngati Manawa are hoping to be able to agree to terms of negotiations early in the New Year.

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