Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims Settlement
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims Settlement
The Waikato Raupatu claim, subject of the 1995 settlement stemmed from the inception of Kiingitanga in 1858 when Pootatau Te Wherowhero was anointed first Maaori King.
The New Zealand Settlements Act was passed in 1863, which allowed the Crown to confiscate lands belonging to ‘Maaori rebels’. In July 1863 British Troops under the command of General Cameron crossed the Mangataawhiri River and waged war on Waikato iwi. Post the Waikato invasion, in 1865 the Crown confiscated over 1.2 million acres of land.
The consequences of Raupatu were vast and devastating with the loss of lives, lands and resources.
The Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims Settlement Features:
- This was the first historical Treaty of Waitangi grievance settled with the Crown.
- The settlement was valued at $170 million and included the return of land, cash payments, right of first refusal and relativity mechanisms.
- A key component of the settlement was the formal apology from the Crown acknowledging its wrong doing.
- Waikato-Tainui is the only iwi to have Queen Elizabeth sign their Act that made the settlement law later in 1995
