Maori

Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) having migrated to New Zealand by sea canoe (Waka) between AD1280 to 1300.   Arriving in New Zealand, many Maori initially settled on the coastal rim of New Zealand, eventually settling in communities throughout the country.   The Maori culture is steeped in a richness of language, song, dance and art.   

Treaty of Waitangi 

The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document.   It takes its name from Waitangi in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, 6 February 1840.   Waitangi Day is now a national public holiday.    The Treaty is an agreement in Maori and English, that was made between the British Crown and about 540 Maori ragatira (chiefs).

Growing numbers of British migrants arrived in New Zealand in the late 1930s and there were plans for extensive settlement.   Around this time there were large-scale transactions with Maori for land, unrurly behaviour from some settlers and signals that the French were interested in annexing New Zealand.   The British government, initially unwilling to act, eventually realised that annexing the country could protect Maori, regulate British subjects and secure commercial interests.   Lietenant-Governor William Hobson was tasked with securing British sovereignty over New Zealand.   The Treaty was prepared in just a few days and missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward translated the english draft into Maori overnight on 4 February.   The document was debated by approximately 500 Maori, prior to being signed 6 February.    

Treaty of Waitangi - Claims

It is common now to refer to the intention, spirit or principles of the Treaty.   The Treaty of Waitangi is not considered part of New Zealand domestic law, except where its principles are referred to in several Acts of Parliament.   The exclusive right to determine the meaning of the Treaty rests with the Waitangi Tribunal, a commission of inquiry created in 1975 to investigate the Crown's alleged breaches of the Treaty.   More than 1000 claims have been lodged with the Tribunal and a number have been settled.

There are three 'large natural groupings' recognised by the Government in the Treaty of Waitangi claims in our region.   These are:

• Kurahaupo Waka:   Ngati Kuia and Marlborough based Ngati Apa and Rangitane
• Tainui Taranaki (grouped through alliances and intermarriage):   Ngati Tama, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Koata and Te Atiawa
• Ngati Toa Rangatira

The Regions Iwi

The region's six iwi tribes are ‘tangata whenua' or people of the land, in the region.    These are Ngati Ra-rua, Ngati Tama, Te Atiawa, Ngati Koata, Ngati Kuia and Ngati Toa Rangatira and they make a significant contribution to the region's economy through their commercial entities.   With settlement of the Treaty of Waitangi claims, the region's iwi will be looking to expand their asset base to generate sustainable business activities, particularly in the region's key economic driver sectors.   While the full extent of the settlements are unknown, iwi will become more dominant stakeholders in the region's resources and enterprises.

The commercial entities are:

• Wakatu Incorporation is a major landowner involved in horticulture, winemaking, forestry, dairy and seafoods.   A commecial operation comprising the land interest of the original land owners of the Tenths Reserves in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay; Tainui Taranaki iwi Ngati Koata, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama and Te Atiawa.

• Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust (NRAIT) - Established in 1993 through the Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust Empowerment Act, NRAIT represents the hapu (sub-tribe) of Ngati Rarua and Te Atiawa from Motueka.

• Wakapuaka 1B - Is the commercial affiliation of the Delaware Bay hapu (sub-tribe of Ngati Tama).

Maori are substantial investors and operators in the region's industry, and through the joint venture between Wakatu Incorporation and Ngai Tahu, are the largest investor in the region's tourism sector.   There is an increase in Maori heritage interpretation at heritage sites, visitor centres and in soft adventure tourism experiences.

Click here for regional links to Marae's in Nelson, Motueka, Mohua Golden Bay and Onetahua.