August 28, 2015
Ngati Whatua challenge historic drift
Ngati Whatua Orakei is pushing back against efforts to use central Auckland land to settle claims with other iwi.
It has asked the High Court for a declaratory judgment on the crown’s cross-claimant policy.
Orakei deputy chair Ngarimu Blair says there was a shift about five years ago after a Waitangi Tribunal finding introduced the idea of layers of interest.
Now the crown talks about recognising historical interests.
"What we are saying is it is the treaty interest that matters, who had the mana in 1840 and for the central area in Auckland. It's very clear that was Ngati Whatua Orakei. It is our chiefs who gifted the land and our names and signatures on all of the deeds. So with the crown policy we have seen over the last 5 or 6 years and the potential of recognising historical interests , where does it stop?" Mr Blair says.
He says the immediate cause for concern is the crown’s intention to give blocks in Parnell and Mount Eden to Ngati Paoa, but there are five other iwi lining up, as well as Waikato Tainui claiming sovereignty over the whole region.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH NGARIMU BLAIR CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzE4OTU=
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