June 26, 2017
Hauraki concerned Tauranga reneging on shared interests
The lead negotiator for Pare Hauraki wants Tauranga Moana iwi to stick with the agreements they have already made rather than whip up opposition to his iwi's settlement.
Ngai Te Rangi has been leading opposition to having a Pare Hauraki member on the governance board for the Tauranga Harbour and catchment, including putting vessels on the water threatening to blockade the port.
Paul Majurey says Hauraki will only be one seat among 10, with Tauranga Moana iwi having four and local government representatives the rest.
It's a common way to acknowledge overlapping interests.
"In equivalent redress for co-governance of our rivers we are at the table with Ngati Raukawa, Hinerangi and Ngati Haua. The shared interests of tribes in different co-governance arrangements is quite common around motu. There are no hard lines where people have exclusive redress, especially with centuries of relationships and customary interests," he says.
Mr Majurey says it appears the Tauranga leadership hasn't told members of what their iwi had agreed to as far back as 2012, including how to carve up the Athenree Forest, which properties they would have a right of first refusal on, and statutory acknowledgement of interests along the Kaimai ridge line.
His biggest concern is the damage the row will have on longstanding tribal relationships.
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