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Wairarapa ki Tararua

Wai 863

Report released 26 June 2010

Lake Wairarapa

Inquiry District

The Wairarapa ki Tararua inquiry district covers the area from the Manawatu Gorge down the ranges to the South Wairarapa coast, up the Pacific coast to north of Cape Turnagain following the Tararua District council boundary to north of Norsewood and down the Ruahine Ranges to the Gorge.

Hearings and Tribunal Members

Nine weeks of hearings occurred between March 2004 and March 2005. Wairarapa ki Tararua Tribunal members Judge Carrie Wainwright (presiding), Professor Wharehuia Milroy, Dr Ranganui Walker, and Dame Margaret Bazley heard evidence and submissions on a total of 17 claims (covering 28 Wai numbers) filed by members of Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne hapū and other claimant groups.

Claims Issues

The Tribunal grouped the issues raised in the 17 statements of claim into six main divisions:

  1. The relationship between Crown and Māori from 1840 to 1865 with particular emphasis on the pre-1865 Crown purchases.
  2. The relationship between Crown and Māori from 1865 to 1900, with particular emphasis on native land laws, the Native Land Court, Crown and private purchases, and the political responses of Māori to these matters.
  3. Non-agrarian resources and the environment, with a particular emphasis on the Wairarapa moana (Lakes Wairarapa and Onoke/Ferry), rivers, the foreshore and seabed, and environmental management and degradation.
  4. The loss of land and resources in the twentieth century, with a particular emphasis on the impact of that loss and the question of what was ‘sufficient’.
  5. The management of heritage sites of cultural significance, the environment, the coast, and the taking of land for public purposes, whether by central or local authorities.
  6. Issues specific to particular groups and whānau not covered in items 1 to 5.

The Report

Following the closing of submissions in 2005 the tribunal commenced its report writing phase.  The Wairarapa ki Tararua report was released on the 26th of June 2010.

Download the Wairarapa ki Tararua report