Our Story
Our story
Waikato Te Iwi
More than 700 years ago the Tainui canoe mored at its final destination on the Kaawhia coast, by the famous Pohutukawa known as Tangi Te Korowhiti. Tainui Waka carried our voyaging tuupuna whose descendants settled the lands of the Tainui Waka rohe. Over time those same uri whakaheke begat the tribes of Waikato, Hauraki, Maniapoto and Raukawa.
| Ko Mookau ki runga Ko Taamaki ki raro Ko Mangatoatoa ki waenganui. Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato Te Kaokaoroa-o-Paatetere. | Mookau is above Taamaki is below Mangatoatoa is between. The boundaries of Hauraki, the boundaries of Waikato To the place called ‘the long armpit of Paatetere’. |
Te Hiitori o te Raupatu
I riro whenua atu, me hoki whenua mai.
As land was confiscated, so should land be returned.
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.
Timeline of significant events:
1350
Tainui Waka arrives in Aotearoa. The people of the Tainui Waka settle in Auckland, Hauraki, Waikato and the King Country.
1835
The Declaration of Independence is signed by 35 northern chiefs declaring Maaori sovereignty.
1839
Pootatau Te Wherowhero signs the Declaration of Independence.
1840
The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
1858
Pootatau Te Wherowhero is installed as the 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.
1863
Invasion of the Waikato – July to December. New Zealand Settlements Act. Government confiscates 1,202,172 acres.
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 Mahuta installed as the third Maaori King.
1903
Mahuta accepts a seat on the NZ Legislative Council to seek redress for Raupatu.
1912
Kiingi Te Rata succeeds his father to become the fourth Maaori King.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1994
December 21 the signing of the Heads of Agreement to the Deed of Settlement at Hopuhopu.
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.
2008
The Waikato-Tainui Deed of Settlement for the Waikato River is signed.
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.
