Te Hiitori o Te Raupatu

“The Crown seeks on behalf of all New Zealanders to atone for these acknowledged injustices, so far as that is now possible, and, with the grievance of Raupatu finally settled as to the matters set out in the Deed of Settlement signed on May 22 1995 to begin the process of healing and to enter into a new age of co-operation with the Kiingitanga and Waikato.”

In July 1863, military forces of the Crown breached the Mangatawhiri River and unjustly invaded the Waikato, initiating a conflict against Kiingitanga and the people of Waikato. By April 1864, after the persistent defence of our whenua, we became outnumbered, and together with our allies, we retreated and sought refuge in the King Country.

What followed was the confiscation of approximately 1.2 million acres of our tribal lands and the widespread suffering, distress and deprivation caused to ngaa iwi o Waikato as war continued to be waged against them. Lives were lost, taonga and property destroyed, and ancestral lands unjustly taken – the effects of which lasted for generations. For 125 years, we sought justice from the Crown for the confiscations and its devastating impact on the livelihoods and the well-being of Waikato Maaori.

The history of Raupatu

Please click on an event to the right or use the arrows below to navigate this timeline from 1350 to 2010.


1350

Tainui arrives in Aotearoa. Tainui people settle in Auckland, Hauraki, Waikato and Maniapoto.

1835

Declaration of Independence signed by 35 northern chiefs declaring Maaori sovereignty.

1839

Te Wherowhero signs the Declaration of Independence.

1840

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
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1858

Pootatau Te Wherowhero is installed as first Maaori King, signs He Whakaputanga, the Declaration of Independence.

1859

The start of the land conflicts between Maaori and Government.

1860

Taawhiao Pootatau Te Wherowhero becomes the second Maaori King.
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1863

Invasion of the Waikato – July to December. New Zealand Settlements Act. Government confiscated 1,202,172 acres.
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1864

Soldiers allotted sections taken from the confiscated lands which included a town acre and a farm section.

1865

Native Land Court established.

1867

Maaori Representation Bill created three Maaori seats in the North Island and one in the South.

1884

Taawhiao leads deputation to England to petition Crown on the Raupatu claim. Advised to petition New Zealand Parliament.

1894

Kiingi Maahuta installed as the third Maaori King.
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1903

Maahuta accepts a seat on the NZ Legislative Council to seek redress for Raupatu.
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1912

Kiingi Te Rata succeeds his father to become the fourth Maaori King.
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1914

Te Rata leads deputation to England to petition Crown on the Raupatu claim, received same advice.

1916

Government attempts military conscription in Waikato during World War I. Kiingitanga leader Te Puea Heerangi maintains that Waikato had 'its own King' and would not fight for the British King.
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1928

Sim Royal Commission to review the Raupatu issue. Commission found Raupatu to be “immoral, illegal and excessive”.

1930

Rangatahi group established by Tuumate Maahuta and Pei Te Hurinui Jones to negotiate with Government on Raupatu.

1933

Kiingi Koroki appointed as fifth Maaori King.
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1936

Prime Minister Savage promises settlement of 5,000 pounds per year.

1939

World War II – Raupatu negotiations suspended.

1946

Tuurangawaewae hui – Prime Minister Fraser offers 6,000 pound per year for 50 years, and 5,000 pounds thereafter in perpetuity. Kiingi Koroki accepts offer but does not consider it as “full and final”

1966

Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu succeeds her father to be the sixth and the longest-serving leader of the Kiingtanga.
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1975

Waitangi Tribunal established.

1978

Trust Board annuity reassessed at $15,000 per annum.

1983

The Tainui Report released.

1984

Te Hiikoi ki Waitangi Manukau Claim Hui Taumata.

1985

Waitangi Amendment Act allows Tribunal to recommend on claims back to 1840.

1987

The Waitangi Tribunal receives the Waikato-Tainui WAI 30 claim concerning lands confiscated, Waikato River bed, fisheries and harbours.
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1989

Tainui Coalcorp case taken to High Court and heard before Court of Appeal. Tainui receives unanimous decision in favour.

1990

Opening of Raupatu hearings at Owae Marae, Waitara, Taranaki. Presentation to Waitangi Tribunal and Crown of Tainui claims.

1991

Direct negotiations with National Government begin. National Government agrees to return Hopuhopu Military Camp and reimburse Trust Board for costs of negotiations.

1993

Hopuhopu and Te Rapa is returned.
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1994

December 21 the signing of the Heads of Agreement to the Deed of Settlement at Hopuhopu.
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1995

May 22 the Deed of Settlement is signed at Tuurangawaewae Marae. To signify the event, the Crown returned to Tainui the taonga, Te Korotangi. The settlement package totalled $170m.

1996

The Trust Board begins a two year consultation process with tribal members to find a suitable post-settlement governance structure.

1998

The tribe votes that the successor of the Board will be called Te Kauhanganui.

1999

The Tainui Maaori Trust Board is formally dissolved on April 30 and the first Te Kauhanganui meeting is held on August 13 Waikato River settlement historic, environment and legal research is completed.

2006

Kiingi Tuuheitia is installed.
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2008

The Waikato-Tainui Deed of Settlement for the Waikato River is signed.
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2009

New Government seeks a review of the Deed and a subsequent Deed of Settlement is signed, including the Kiingitanga Accord to protect the integrity of the Settlement.

2010

The Waikato-Tainui Raupatu (Waikato River) Settlement Act receives the Royal Assent.