Tuhoe deal - first step to self-rule?

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Tuhoe deal - first step to self-rule?

3News NZ

The Ureweras

The Ureweras

By Patrick Gower

The Government is on the verge of offering the Tuhoe tribe a treaty settlement that could be as groundbreaking as it is controversial.

Tuhoe is hoping it will mean total control of the Urewera National Park, and start the tribe on the way to self-rule and becoming a separate nation.

But the Government is sensitive about just how far it will go.

The Ureweras have long been home to the Tuhoe, and ownership has been with the Government. But that may be about to change, with treaty negotiations under way where Tuhoe could get ownership and control of the national park.

Government sources say handing over Tuhoe ownership of the park is a definite possibility and would be the biggest deal of its kind. The sticking point would be Tuhoe's desire for total control, with the Government preferring co-management with the Department of Conservation.

And Tuhoe could be in for something much more controversial. Tuhoe sources have told us the first steps towards separate Tuhoe rule are also on the table under what's called 'mana motuhake'. The tribe wants Government functions like schools, health and welfare handed over to Tuhoe, with other functions - even tax - devolved over time.

The Tuhoe deal was considered by ministers today with negotiations based on three pillars: ownership and or control of the Ureweras - public access would be guaranteed; mana motuhake - self-rule; and money - around $100 million in compensation.

Tuhoe leaders did not want to come on camera, preferring to wait for the Government's official response.

High-profile Tuhoe member Tame Iti said New Zealanders had nothing to fear from the deal.

Tuhoe's tensions with the Crown date back 170 years to sweeping land confiscation and military attacks.

We could know later this year whether Tuhoe is any closer to getting the resolution it wants.

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Comments

11/09/2012 6:36:32 p.m.

identify? wrote:

Good on Tuhoe im happy on them just like the rest of New Zealand should. This day has been long overdue. However the new 'co-management' model over the new legal entity with both equal numbers of crown and tuhoe nominees is still abit of a grey area for me, is this only until such a time when tuhoe have well established themselves will that membership be 100% tuhoe? Who has 'total' control of Te Urewera? Personally the financial redress to me is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what they suffered and we must never forget. Hopefully this settlement (yet to be finalised) can go some way to towards restoring some of the wrongs done to them and help establish healthy relatinships with crown and Maori agencies alike.

11/09/2012 5:59:05 p.m.

identify? wrote:

Good on Tuhoe im happy on them just like the rest of New Zealand should. This day has been long overdue. However the new 'co-management' model over the new legal entity with both equal numbers of crown and tuhoe nominees is still abit of a grey area for me, is this only until such a time when tuhoe have a well established infrastructure will that membership be 100% tuhoe? Who has 'total' control of Te Urewera? Personally the financial redress to me is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what they suffered and we must never forget. Hopefully this settlement (yet to be finalised) can go some way to towards restoring some of the wrongs done to them and help establish healthy relatinships with crown and Maori agencies alike.

17/05/2010 3:17:51 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Let the maori self rule. separate the country, who cares, its a bloody mess now with all these damn treaty claims anyway.

As long as maori dont interfere with KIWIs-NZers and spong off our system anymore who cares!, let them go back to grass huts.

NO MORE TREATY CLAIMS, has to STOP, no more welfare for maoris

4/05/2010 7:21:35 p.m.

Bad habit wrote:

maori's ain't running around in grass skirts and chopping each others head off any more if that was the case some of use wouldn't be sitting in front of your computer writting comments on here. To those who have stupid comments about maori's we the tangatawhenua have been taking for granted we have lore's which are seperate from the pakeha law the tangatawhenua have skill's in all area's from ag to hort even wood work, metal work and firearm's making when not ho ho maori like some think we are. we are part of the land which we can provide for our own from the land. so how the idea that it's a failing idea for mana motuhake is a good idea next time you purchase land just think who did the goverment stand over for thier land and who's buried rhere if you's wish to talk to me more about this subject look for me on facebook Jay_habit the name and conversatings the game . mauri ora

1/05/2010 1:11:49 p.m.

Jan.. wrote:

Give the tribes their Land back, you were only on a short term lease,how could you possilbly say this country is yours where the world witnesses in all history knows its all Maori and its indigenous people..You are a thief matey, get real or ship out, we have been watching you and your evil acts from day1..get real..

26/04/2010 2:35:35 a.m.

tansaurus wrote:

Total Control? Self-Rule? Separate Nation? These have got to be the ramblings of delirious delinquents! Com'on Tuhoe! Surely you're demanding the confiscated lands back? Surely you're requiring restitution for the losses endued under the "scorched earth campaign"? Surely you want the wrongs of Te Houhi righted? Surely the deaths of your people must be avenged? Surely the assimilated plundering of Tuhoe's assets by the Crown and it's governmental policies needs redress? .. and these are but a few of the issues that need to be addressed .. What about economic viability? financial sustainability? investment profiling? business mentoring? the assistance of expert managerial advice & consultancy? etc etc .. surely you need these and more, BEFORE Tuhoe seeks a return to the reservation, as they seem hellbent on achieving under the current settlement AIP DOS process .. a reservation on which they can descend into the anarchy, chaos and "mana motuhake" that ruled Tuhoe before the Colonialists arrived .. the good old "club-each-other-over-the-head-with-a-patu-every-morning" days Think about it .. your own nation! within a nation, sounds great, free to be your own bosses, do what you want to do .. yes your own Indian, Aboriginal, Indigenous Reservation .. your very own penal colony where all the undesirables are sent too .. with no infrastructure, no technology, no economy, no employment, no technical expertise, no laws, no police, no import/export industry, no industries at all, no food .. and you could pay yourselves with worthless Tuhoe Money, that you magic up from thin air. Do you think any Tuhoe in their right-mind would in all seriousness wants to live there? Hell No! Not me! I'm going to exercise my own "mana motuhake"! I choose to live outside the reservation!

24/04/2010 10:19:57 a.m.

Ben wrote:

Not sure what all the fuss is about give them self rule build a big fence and wait for them to come grovelling back!!!

22/04/2010 8:39:02 p.m.

Karl wrote:

Well done Mr. Key. You have managed to stuff up this country in only one year in government. The proposed mining of the conservation estate, the Tuhoe deal, the repeal of the foreshore and seabed act and the affirmation of the UN's decleration og indigenous rights. Well done mate, you have really established a brilliant foundation for a united New Zealand or Aotearoa (which is i nice name by the way). I think you are a clown Mr. Key and I believe you have opened the biggest can of worms in modern history, I hope I am wrong, because if I am not, then you will have a lot to answer for in the future. Wouldn't you all rather just live in peace and harmony, helping eachother looking after this wonderful place. Best wishes to all. Karl

22/04/2010 8:30:48 p.m.

Tracy wrote:

This makes me so sad. Yet another stake struck in the heart of New Zealand to divide us. We are a small country and will only prosper if we stand together as one. My husband and I are European New Zealanders of both European and Maori descent (just as most Maori are). I understand that Tuhoe didn't even sign the Treaty of Waitangi so how are they able to make a claim under it? We want our children to be proud of our heritage. How is there mana in demanding everything be given back now when our country has changed so much since then? Neither the Maori nor Pakeha of today should be looking backwards, financially and culturally ruining our beautiful country. Why can't we all just get along? We are all so lucky to live here. I just don't understand how every Government thinks that by perpetuating this madness (allowing endless Treaty claims) and trying to change something that happened 170 years ago, that either Maori or Pakeha (and therefore New Zealand as a whole) can benefit in the end. Acknowledge the Waitangi Treaty as an important part of our history. Teach it, learn from the mistakes (yes, our British ancestors made mistakes) and move on to the New Zealand/Aotearoa of now and the future as one people. It's time for a New Zealand we all can be proud of.

22/04/2010 7:23:21 p.m.

Tikei wrote:

Kia ora Tuhoe!!! I wish you well in tour negotiations!