Mana News editor Joe Trinder

The first crown rule to Treaty settlement is the colonial strategy of divide and conquer. Get everyone to compromise during the infighting, offer the least settlement possible.

Te Hiku Settlement Bill passed into legislation on 9^th September,2015.  It was a momentous occasion for four of  5 Muriwhenua Iwi : Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupouri , Ngai Takoto and  Te Rarawa who have fought for the return of lands for many generations.

The Te Hiku Settlement Bill  vests the Kaitaia Airport in Ngai Takoto and Ngāti Kahu, but if Ngāti Kahu does not come to the table within a certain time frame , sole title will be granted to Ngai Takoto.    In the treaty settlement Ngāti Kahu claim  “Findlayson is using divide and conquer tactics, he wants us to go fight with our neighbouring Iwi Ngai Takoto. ”

Ngāti Kahu say they loaned Kaitaia airport to the Government during World War 2. Records prove the airport was initially owned by hapu Patu Koraha & Ngai Tohianga and the last recorded owner was Kataraina Erstich  (Ngāti Kahu).

The Kaitaia  airport was used to defend New Zealand against a possible invasion by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the war. Many believed the land would be returned to Ngāti Kahu immediately after the war.

After a 28 hour occupation that ended in 6 arrests Mana News spoke with Wikatana Popata . “The reason why we are up there, land was unlawfully taken from our whānau.  Finlayson is to blame if Ngāti Kahu don’t sign the treaty settlement . We’re not here just for Patu Koraha, we are here for Ngai Takoto and Ngai Tohianga , we are all the same.”

Ngati Kahu submission for the Te Hiku claims settlement that was rejected by Treaty negiotations Minister Chris Finlayson.

Mr Popata went onto to say “Finlayson wants to give them money not the land back. I feel for my people and my kuia and wish the Crown would just give back our whenua. Standing out in the cold 24/7,   people going past calling us Niggers.

Hospital planes are being delayed by the airport authorities not by the Iwi. We are not bad people if someone is sick we will open it up for them. They had a debate about closing down the Airport, it’s not our fault the Airport was on our land that was stolen from us. We did not stop the medical aircraft.  Auckland Airport overreacted and made that decision- that was Government propaganda”

“It’s mamae (hurtful), our old people, have to come out in the cold.  I applaud our old people that stand strong. If we don’t do something about this this Government will run all over us. ”

“The settlement cedes sovereignty to the Crown . Ngai Tohianga and Patu Koraha  are not going to be bullied by the Crown.  Ngāti Kahu will stand strong”

We spoke with Reti Boynton after he and several Ngāti Kahu kaumātua were  arrested by Police “Police looked after the protesters. They gave us a cup of tea at Kaitaia Police station.

Chris Finlayson said they (Ngāti Kahu) could go to hell. Finlayson cut Ngāti Kahu out of this settlement -Ngāti Kahu are the Mana Whenua to this airport because Ngāti Kahu have their burial grounds either side of the Airport.”

Ngāti Kahu applied to the Waitangi Tribunal to grant resumption – the right to resume ownership of their land.  They had already been to the Waitangi Tribunal for resumption and were denied.  Ngāti Kahu appealed to the High Court and the High Court ordered the Waitangi Tribunal to re hear Ngati Kahu’s request for resumption, which if granted would make Ngāti Kahu wealthier than the 4 other Muriwhenua tribes put together.

Mangu Awarau ,  Ngai Takoto kaumātua said  “We have been talking with Ngāti Kahu for a long time.  Ngai Takoto and Patu Koraha are one and the same and it’s natural that we share.  The CEO of Ngai Takoto Rangitane Marsden, his dad Māori Marsden is buried at Karepōnia in Patu Koraha and his Mum Jane is buried 2 .5 kilometres  away at Matarau in Ngai Takoto. We’re that close, we are not the enemy.”

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