March 27, 2017
Tuwharetoa vote for decision making power
It's the last chance today for Tuwharetoa descendants to vote on a settlement that will change the way the central North Island iwi interacts with the crown.
Negotiator Gina Rangi says about a third of the Taupo catchment is in the hands of the Department of Conservation, so there was a focus on ensuring some of the 34 sites returned in cultural redress could be developed where conditions allowed.
There will also be changes to the Conservation Act so decisions will be made jointly with the Minister of the department, rather than the iwi just being consulted.
"We really wanted to ensure we would have the right to make decisions over our whenua tupuna and the minister can't veto us, can't override us. this is going to be a new era for Tuwharetoa of joint decision making, of having the power to make decisions and enforce them and ensure DOC is working alongside us. This is what a treaty partnership is supposed to be but for a long time it hasn't been like that," Ms Rangi says.
Negotiations over Tongariro National Park will be done separately in collaboration with other iwi with interests in the mountains.
www.tekotahitangaotuwharetoa.co.nz or by rining 0800 KOTAHI
FULL INTERVIEW WITH GINA RANGI
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