Rongowhakaata Deed of Settlement summary
Overview
The Rongowhakaata Deed of Settlement is the final settlement of all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Rongowhakaata resulting from acts or omissions by the Crown prior to 21 September 1992, and is made up of a package that includes:
- an agreed historical account and Crown acknowledgements, which form the basis for a Crown Apology to Rongowhakaata;
- cultural redress;
- financial and commercial redress; and
- specific redress for Ngā Uri o Te Kooti Rikirangi.
No private land is affected by the redress, only Crown land.
The benefits of the settlement will be available to all members of Rongowhakaata, wherever they live.
Background
Rongowhakaata is an iwi based in the Tūranga (Gisborne) region. According to the 2006 Census, approximately 4,700 people affiliate to Rongowhakaata.
Redress
Crown Acknowledgments and Apology
The Crown acknowledges its actions arising from interaction with Rongowhakaata whereby it breached the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.
The Crown apologises to Rongowhakaata for its acts and omissions which have breached the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. The breaches include the unnecessary use of force at Waerenga a Hika and the summary executions by Crown forces at Ngatapa, the denial of basic human rights to those Rongowhakaata detained without trial on the Chatham Islands, the pressure applied to extinguish Rongowhakaata customary land interests, the failure to protect Rongowhakaata’s tribal structures after land tenure reforms were imposed, and the failure to protect Rongowhakaata from landlessness and to respect Rongowhakaata rangatiratanga in the administration of all their remaining land. The Crown also specifically apologises to Ngā Uri o Te Kooti Rikirangi for its actions which led to Te Kooti taking up arms, and contributed to the stigmatisation of Te Kooti and his descendants.
Questions and answers
What is the total cost to the Crown?
The total cost to the Crown of the settlement redress outlined in the Deed of Settlement is $22.24 million plus interest, and the value of the cultural and commercial redress properties to be vested and transferred for no consideration.
Is there any private land involved?
No.
Are the public’s rights affected?
No.
Are any place names changed?
No.
What happens to memorials on private titles?
The legislative restrictions (memorials) placed on the title of Crown properties and some former Crown properties now in private ownership, will be removed once all Treaty claims in the area have been settled.
Does Rongowhakaata have the right to come back and make further claims about the behaviour of the Crown in the 19th and 20th centuries?
No. If the Deed of Settlement is passed into law, both parties agree it will be a final and comprehensive settlement of all the historical (relating to events before 21 September 1992) Treaty of Waitangi claims of Rongowhakaata. The settlement legislation, once passed, will prevent Rongowhakaata from re-litigating the claim before the Tribunal or the courts.
The settlement package will still allow Rongowhakaata to pursue claims against the Crown for acts or omissions after 21 September 1992, including claims based on the continued existence of aboriginal title or customary rights. The Crown also retains the right to dispute such claims or the existence of such title rights.
Who benefits from the settlement?
All members of Rongowhakaata, wherever they may now live.
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