The Crown invites submissions, views or inquiries about Ngaitai Iwi Authority (NIA) Deed of Mandate. Submissions must reach Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) by no later than 5pm Monday 28 October 2013. Submissions should be sent to the Manager, Treaty Settlements Unit, Te Puni Kōkiri, PO Box 3943, Wellington 6140, or by email to mandatesubs@tpk.govt.nz.

In September 2013, NIA submitted a Deed of Mandate (the Deed) to the Crown to represent Ngaitai ki Tōrere (Ngaitai) in negotiations with the Crown for the comprehensive settlement of all the historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngaitai. The mandate of NIA is to negotiate a settlement only and any final settlement will require ratification by Ngaitai before a Deed of Settlement is signed with the Crown.

The historical Treaty of Waitangi claims to be negotiated by NIA are all outstanding historical claims of Ngaitai whether registered or unregistered, that arise from Crown actions and omissions that occurred prior to 21 September 1992 including, but not limited to Wai 78.

The Deed states that there are seven Trustee positions on the NIA Board: Ngaroma Wency Rewi, Christina Peters, Whetu Kingi, Jeanne Kerr, Yvette Callaghan, and Hohepa Maxwell are the current trustees. There is currently one vacancy. The Board members were elected by Ngaitai adult iwi members at an Annual General Meeting held at Tōrere Marae. The term of office is a maximum of three years with retiring Board members being eligible for re-election. The Deed outlines accountability processes including provisions by which NIA Board members can be appointed, replaced and removed.

The Deed states that NIA undertook a formal mandate process and held four hui between 25 January and 2 February 2013 in Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland and Tōrere.

The Deed states that the Ngaitai boundary “commences at its most eastern seaward point named Tokoroa, thence moving inland to Te Paku, Peketutu, Taungakakariki, and Kaitaura. The boundary then turns towards the coast at Taumatakareti following Te Rewa Rangi, Onukuroa to the Tahunatoroa range, Papamoa, Mangakakaho, Tairanga-huata, Te Kopiha, Haingai, Tirohanga to the two rock formations Tokangawekeweke and Turanga-a-nui and following the coastal line to the point of commencement.” The Deed acknowledges that the proposed settlement area of interest overlaps and in some instances is shared with other neighbouring tribal groups along Ngaitai eastern, western and northern boundaries.

The Crown understands that Ngaitai includes all individuals and whānau that trace descent from their tipuna Maanakiao and Tōrere Nui a Rua.

If any person considers themselves to be a member of Ngaitai, then they should contact Yvette Callaghan on 07 3155000 or email Yvette@ngaitai.iwi.nz. Copies of the Deed of Mandate will be available on request from Yvette Callaghan.

For further information, including a downloadable electronic copy of the Deed of Mandate, visit the NIA website www.ngaitai.iwi.nz or the TPK website www.tpk.govt.nz.

Note that NIA will be given copies of all correspondence received in relation to this matter.

Download:

• Ngaitai Iwi Authority Deed of Mandate [PDF, 865KB]
• Ngaitai Iwi Authority Deed of Mandate Appendix [PDF, 8.2MB]