Representatives of Rangitāne o Wairau today appeared before Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Committee in support of the Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill. Rangitāne o Wairau was represented by Kaiwhakahaere Matua Corey Hebberd, alongside Trustee Dr Peter Meihana.
Presenting in support of the Bill, Rangitāne emphasised that the legislation gives effect to the Resolution Agreement reached between Te Here ā Nuku Trust and the Crown and enables longstanding matters arising from the Nelson Tenths litigation to finally be resolved.
Rangitāne's submission highlighted that the significance of the Bill extends beyond the transfer of lands and assets to Te Here ā Nuku Trust. The legislation also provides certainty for wider property, governance and settlement arrangements across Te Tauihu, including the completion of aspects of Treaty settlement redress that have remained unresolved due to the long-running litigation.
As a practical example, Rangitāne referenced Auckland Point School, which formed part of the Rangitāne o Wairau Treaty settlement in 2015. While Rangitāne became the beneficial owner at that time, legal title could not transfer because of issues arising from the Nelson Tenths litigation. Resolution of those matters now allows that Treaty settlement redress to proceed as originally intended.
The presentation also noted that the Waitangi Tribunal found Rangitāne should have been beneficiaries of the Nelson Tenths reserves and that the Crown had previously acknowledged Rangitāne did not receive a share of those reserves. These findings form part of the wider historical context surrounding the Bill and its relevance to Kurahaupō iwi.
Rangitāne’s presentation concluded by acknowledging the leadership and commitment of Matua Rore Stafford and his whānau, Te Here ā Nuku Trust, Dr Peter Meihana, Nicole Akuhata, Crown officials and former Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins in helping bring this longstanding matter to a point of resolution.
Rangitāne supports the Bill and looks forward to its continued progress through Parliament.
