Waitangi Tribunal hearings in Manawatū could be moved online

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Sir Eddie Taihakurei Durie says iwi were defrauded of large blocks of land.

One of New Zealand's biggest land claims could be heard online when hearings resume.

Three iwi presented claims at a Waitangi Tribunal hearing at Hato Pāora College near Feilding in March over the historical purchase of 130,000 hectares of land stretching from Kāpiti Coast to northern Manawatū.

It was the first of several hearings scheduled to take place over the upcoming months, however changes have been made to the itinerary due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ngāti Kauwhata chairman Dennis Emery said the rescheduled hearings would likely take place in September, November and December.

Brian Emery of Ngāti Kauwhata speaking at the pōwhiri for the hearing in March. When there was a light shower and a rainbow appeared, he said it was a symbol of Tawhaki, the ancestor, going up to the heavens and retrieving baskets of knowledge.

Officials were looking into whether the September hearings could be done via Zoom to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The remaining hearings could return to Hata Pāora.

'No decisions have been made yet,' Emery said.

'To put it into context – we had 890 people turn up on the week. There were 30 lawyers. What other tribe could have done this?

Jeffrey Rakatau's grandfather cycled from Kai Iwi Pa to Hato Pāora College to perform the opening karakia in 1947.

'We've waited 30 years for this hearing.'

The affected iwi also include Ngāti Raukawa and Te Reureu, who, alongside Ngāti Kauwhata, are calling the land loss pene raupatu – confiscation by the pen.

Dr Monty Soutar is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and an old boy of Hato PÄora College.

They represent 30,000 descendants affiliated to 23 marae.

They dispute the sale of two blocks of land and allege the Crown later influenced a Native Land Court ruling that supported the deals in 1869.

The sale deeds looked legitimate, but iwi argue they were not signed by hapū leaders, who governed the land and were opposed to selling, the tribunal heard in March.

Most of the 1700 signatures were linked to Māori people from other regions without any affiliation to the land.

It's understood these were gathered at general meetings where the Government had control and could publish outcomes according to its own interpretation.

Emery said iwi were 'ecstatic' with the turnout at the first hearing in March.

'We recorded it on livestream. I've watched it three times over during the lockdown – all seven hours.

'When you can't go anywhere and there's no sport, I thought I'd just put it on the projector. We could not have been happier.'

Four whānau members died during the week of the hearing, meaning several people rushed between the hearings and marae to grieve each day.