Tukua ngaa whakaaro, Ngaa whakaaro o te kotahitanga e

Late last year, the Waikato-Tainui Remaining Claims settlement process took an important step with the signing of the terms of negotiation by our Waikato-Tainui negotiator Rahui Papa, and Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, the Hon Andrew Little.

Our settlement journey started in 1995 when we settled our Raupatu claims under WAI 30, followed by our river settlement in 2010. The Waikato-Tainui Remaining Claims marks the final chapter and will capture remaining land claims and our West Coast Harbours.

The vision shared by Waikato-Tainui and the Crown is to progress negotiations over a 12 to 18-month period before arriving at an agreement in principle for this settlement. Over this period, the West Coast Harbours Negotiation Team will be meeting with Crown officials at least once a month and we are eager to engage with whaanau to make sure we are accurately representing their aspirations during our negotiations.

To start this, we have organised waananga at each of the harbours, as well as a central waananga, led by our West Coast Harbours Negotiations Team. These will be an opportunity for whaanau to learn more about the claim and its progress to date, with the main focus being a workshop for whaanau to share their ideas, dreams and aspirations for the harbours and remaining claims of WAI 30.

The details regarding the waananga are listed below:

• Aotea waananga Sunday 14 March (10am-2pm), Te Papatapu Marae
• Whaingaroa waananga Sunday 21 March (10am-2pm), Poihakena Marae
• Waikato waananga Wednesday 24 March (6pm-8pm), Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Chambers
• Manukau waananga Friday 26 March (6pm-8pm), Te Puea Marae
• Kaawhia waananga Sunday 11 April (10am-2pm), Maketuu Marae

If you have any questions about these waananga please get in touch with Michelle Samson (Rights and Interest Executive Assistant) at [email protected]. We encourage you to forward these dates on to your marae, hapuu, and whaanau network to ensure whaanau are aware of the opportunity to contribute to these waananga.