The Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board was originally set up pursuant to the Maori Trust Boards Act 1955, but having its own separate and additional legislation, initially the Orakei Block (Vesting and Use) Act 1978 then the Orakei Act 1991.
In 1977 Ngati Whatua argued that land taken under the Public Works Act that had not been used for the declared purposes, should be returned. The government of the day agreed to return 10 hectares to a Ngati Whatua tribal trust, enshrined in the Orakei Block (Vesting and Use) Act 1978. This is particularly important for the current Trust Board in that the tribal trust determined the beneficiaries as those descendants of the common ancestor, Tuperiri.
In 1987, the Waitangi Tribunal made recommendations to the Crown concerning the claim lodged by people of Ngati Whatua o Orakei. The Crown passed the Orakei Act 1991, recognising the rights of Ngati Whatua o Orakei under the Treaty of Waitangi. The Orakei Act:
- Recognised the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board as the tribal authority which represents the collective interests of the hapu
- Returned to Ngati Whatua o Orakei an area of hapu land. Part of this land cannot be sold or leased, and is used for the marae, church and urupa. It is the turangawaewae of the hapu. Another part of the land may be leased for development of the hapu.
- Set aside an area of whenua rangatira, a Maori reserve for the benefit of the hapu and the people of Auckland . The Trust Board named this area Takaparawha Reserve.
In addition, section 19 of the Orakei Act 1991 provides a mandate for the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board to act as a sole authority on behalf of Ngati Whatua o Orakei on any matters that derive from the hapu’s customary authority in the Tamaki Isthmus.
Relationship to Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua
Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua was set up pursuant to Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua Act 1988. The beneficiaries of Te Runanga are descendants of Haumoewarangi. Ngati Whatua o Orakei are a part of Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua with the Act providing:
6. Functions, objects, and powers---In performing the functions conferred on it by section 24 of the Maori Trust Boards Act 1955, Te Runanga shall consult with other tribal authorities concerned with the administration of resources for the benefit of members of the Ngati Whatua tribe, with the objective of bringing the assets of the whole tribe under a unified administration, thereby reaffirming tribal identity, while still preserving local autonomy.
Importantly, whilst the Runanga represents the interests of Ngati Whatua they clearly provide for local (hapu) autonomy. Ngati Whatua o Orakei as a hapu of Ngati Whatua is represented on the tribal trust board, Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua.
Trust Board Members
The Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board is made up of 11 members.
Chairman: Grant Hawke
Deputy Chairman and Secretary: Rangimarie Rawiri
Trustees:
Piripi Davis
Ngarimu Blair
Bob Hawke
Whetumarama Porter
Puawai Rameka
Cyril Talbot
Moana Tamaariki-Pohe
Margaret Kawharu
Wyllis Maihi
