Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement 2010
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement 2010
“Te mana o te awa, mana whakahaere”
The Waikato River was also a key component of the of the Wai 30 claim. The 1995 deed and the 1995 Act expressly excluded certain claims from the settlement including the claims of Waikato-Tainui in relation to the Waikato River which arise as a result of the Raupatu of the 1860s and its consequences.
To Waikato-Tainui the Waikato River is a tupuna which has mana and in turn represents the mana and mauri of Waikato-Tainui. To Waikato-Tainui the Waikato River is a single indivisible being that flows from Te Taheke Hukahuka to Te Puuaha o Waikato. The relationship of Waikato-Tainui with the Waikato River and their respect for it lies at the heart of their spiritual and physical wellbeing, and their tribal identity and culture.
Being a co-management settlement, a disposition clause was incorporated into the Settlement Act reserving the right of Waikato-Tainui to revisit the question of “ownership” at a later stage. (section 64 creating or disposing of interests Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010).
