Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and the Crown

Purpose

The foundation of this relationship is the three key concepts that were part of Ngaa Rauru’s negotiating framework for their Treaty settlement: to honour Ngaa Rauru tipuna by telling their stories, to honour Ngaa Rauru mokopuna by revitalising Ngaa Raurutanga and to assist to restore the honour of the Crown.

Background

In 2003, Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi of South Taranaki signed a deed of settlement which was ratified by legislation in 2005. A key feature of the deed was the establishment of the Paepae Rangatira, a forum to discuss the health of the Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi relationship between Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and the Crown, and issues of importance to both parties. This constitutional and political relationship between the iwi and the Crown is protected by the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Act.

Roles

The Ministers and senior officials engage with Ngaa Rauru Rangatira and identify areas in which government and Ngaa Rauru can work together to achieve common goals. They also gather information about Crown agency interactions with Ngaa Rauru.

The role of the taangata whenua is to organise the rangatira for the Ngaa Rauru Paepae. They prepare a report on the health of the relationship and identify social and economic policy. The taangata whenua also gathers the stories of the whaanau about their interactions with Crown agencies.

What happens

The Paepae Rangatira is a Tiriti/Treaty relationship between the Rangatira of Ngaa Rauru (represented by Te Kaahui o Rauru), the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Other people can be invited by the iwi or the Ministers. The Paepae Rangatira meets at least once a year to discuss the common goals that they can achieve together.

The Paepae Rangatira provides the framework to achieve these objectives as Ngaa Rauru exercises rangatiratanga through the relationship at governance level.

The Paepae enables the Rangatira to protect and build the capacity of the iwi through strategic planning for 3 – 5 year periods. Te Kaahui o Rauru has identified these seven key areas of development for the iwi:

  • Education – Te Mahuri o te Mātauranga
  • Marae development – Te Ahi Kaaroa
  • Cultural – Te Pepeke Mahiri
  • Environmental – Te Puutaiao
  • Fish – Te Pataka o Tangaroa
  • Health – Te Hauora
  • Reo – Te Kura Pahake.

The Paepae Rangatira leads on to specific development for the iwi through the Paepae Whakapakari which is at the level of strategic planning and resource allocation. It consists of relationships between Ngaa Rauru and mayors, CEOs and general managers of Crown or business organisations. An example is that members of Ngaa Rauru involved with the education strategy – Te Mahuri o te Mātauranga – met with Ministry of Education staff in Whanganui. At this meeting they reinforced the messages from the Paepae Rangatira, explored ways that the Ministry can assist the iwi’s education strategy, drew up a plan for the relationship between the Te Kaahui o Rauru and MOE, identified the joint goals of both parties, and considered the future of Waverley High School.

Similar relationships to progress Ngaa Rauru’s development goals are in place with the Ministry of Fisheries, the local and regional councils and other entities.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Paepae Rangatira affirms the Treaty of Waitangi right of Ngaa Rauru iwi, hapuu and whaanau to determine their own affairs (Article 2). This also serves to advance the right of Ngaa Rauru to self determination as affirmed by Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as a number of the Declaration’s other provisions. These include Article 5 (the right to participate and to maintain and strengthen their own institutions); Article 18 (the right to participate in decision making); Article 19 (good faith consultation and cooperation before adopting measures); and Article 23 (the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development).

What’s working well

The iwi uses the human resource set up by the deed of settlement as a springboard for development, building their capacity through rangatiratanga. This governance-level relationship is also the driver for the interactions between the taangata whenua and other Crown agencies.

Looking ahead

“The Paepae Rangatira is new and its potential is still emerging,” says Hayden Potaka, the Tumu Whakahaere. “One of the immediate benefits is the meaningful relationship between us and the Ministers. We know each other and can discuss openly and frankly the issues that matter. It’s a forum where we can engage at strategic level and shape the work we’ll be doing together over the next 3 – 5 years.”

Documentation

Visit Ngaa Rauru to read about the Deed of Settlement which set up the relationship between and the Crown.

10 July 2009

Back to top