Negotiations Between The Crown And Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou
Discussions with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou (negotiating on behalf of certain hapū of Ngāti Porou) commenced in late 2003. Terms of Negotiations (PDF, 1419Kb) (View HTML version) were signed in November 2004.
The Crown and representatives of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou (on behalf of certain hapū of Ngāti Porou) signed a Statement of Position and Intent (PDF, 383Kb) (View HTML version) in September 2005 that recorded the agreed understanding of the parties about the progress of negotiations at that time and matters which required further negotiation.
On 5 February 2008, the Crown and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou (on behalf of certain hapū of Ngāti Porou) signed a Heads of Agreement (PDF, 9302Kb) (View HTML version), which comprised a cover letter setting out the progress made to date and work to be completed, and a draft of the Deed of Agreement.
On 7 August 2008, the Crown and negotiating representatives of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou (on behalf of certain hapū of Ngāti Porou) initialled the Deed of Agreement. The initialled Deed of Agreement outlined the nature, scope and extent of the recognition instruments to be provided to those hapū of Ngāti Porou that ratify the Deed of Agreement.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou held a series of ratification hui in the rohe of Ngāti Porou between August and October 2008 for hapū to consider the initialled Deed of Agreement and vote on whether or not they wished to be included in the Deed.
A summary of the initialled Ngāti Porou Deed of Agreement (PDF, 112Kb) is also available.
On 31 October 2008, representatives of the Crown and the hapū of Ngāti Porou (that ratified the Deed) signed Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Foreshore and Seabed Deed of Agreement. This was the first Deed of Agreement reached under the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. The Deed of Agreement contains nine instruments that provide legal recognition and protection of the mana of ngā hapū of Ngāti Porou. The Deed also provides an additional level of protection and authority where territorial customary rights are recognised.
Now that the Deed of Agreement has been signed, appointed representatives of ngā hapū of Ngāti Porou will file an application in the High Court for confirmation that the requirements for a finding by the High Court under section 96 of the Foreshore and Seabed Act have been satisfied. This is pursuant to obligations set out in schedule 8 of the Deed of Agreement.
Legislation is required to give effect to the contents of the signed Deed of Agreement. Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill was introduced on 29 September 2008, and reinstated by the 49th Parliament on 9 December 2008. It is currently before the House of Representatives awaiting its first reading.
On 2 February 2009, the Crown and representatives of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou agreed through an exchange of letters to extend the timeframe for filing the High Court application to 30 April 2009 (PDF, 603Kb).
On 30 April 2009, the Crown and representatives of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou agreed through an exchange of letters to extend the timeframe for filing the High Court application to 30 September 2009 (PDF, 897Kb).
In September 2009, the Crown and representatives of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou agreed through an exchange of letters to further extend the timeframe for filing the High Court application to 30 March 2010 (PDF, 531Kb).
In March 2010, the Crown and representatives of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou agreed through an exchange of letters to further extend the timeframe for filing the High Court application to 30 March 2011 (PDF, 276Kb).
Links
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou Website: www.fssb.ngatiporou.iwi.nz
