A recital of historical events agreed between the Crown and Rangitaane o Manawatu is included in the Heads of Agreement. A summary of the recital is included in the attached material. The claim relates to alleged breaches by the Crown of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and in particular two key land purchases by the Crown in 1864 and 1866.
The Crown and Rangitaane o Manawatu have been working towards a final settlement since 1997. The Heads of Agreement signed today is a non-legally binding document. After further discussion with the iwi over the next few months it will become the basis of a formal Crown offer to Rangitaane o Manawatu. This offer will then be put formally to iwi members for their consideration. If the iwi ratifies the formal Crown offer, the two parties will then sign a Deed of Settlement conditional only on the approval of Parliament to the settlement legislation.
Chief Tanenuiarangi and Mrs Ruth Harris, Principal Negotiator, led Rangitaane o Manawatu's negotiations.. The Office of Treaty Settlements headed by Ross Philipson and claims co-ordinator Prue Densem, with the support of Treasury, Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation, represented the Crown in day to day negotiations. The Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Sir Douglas Graham chaired the Ministerial group that represented the Crown in high level negotiations with Rangitaane o Manawatu.
ENDS
