Ngati Whatua O Orakei in the Media

Media Statement

June 25, 2009

Ngati Whatua o Orakei Cautious About Plan For Settlement of Claims in Tamaki Makaurau

Ngati Whatua o Orakei is responding cautiously to a report by Sir Douglas Graham to Cabinet that was recently obtained under the Official Information Act.

Chairman of Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board Grant Hawke says there is much detail to work through yet and so it is too early to respond in full.

He says at this early stage, however, one point that he can see will need to be addressed, not covered in the Graham report, is that Ngati Whatua o Orakei’s AIP, signed in June 2006, guaranteed that if Ngati Whatua were to accept some compromise in the redress terms then the hapu would obtain alternative redress as compensation.

“That is something we will need to remind the Crown about,” he says.

Hawke says Ngati Whatua will be involved in discussion about the detail of the proposed plan with the Crown.

“It is commendable that Sir Douglas has taken a comprehensive approach to provide for a full settlement extending from Tauranga to Kaipara.”

“Now lets get to some detail before I consider taking any offer back to my people.”

Ends

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