General Background Historical Background Deed of Settlement Commercial Redress Questions and Answers

General Background Ngati Ruanui (including Pakakohi and Tangahoe) is an iwi of Taranaki. Ngati Ruanui takes its name from the tupuna Ruanui o Pookiwa and Ruanui o Taaneroroa, the latter being the grandson of Turi Ariki, leader of the Aotea waka. Ngati Ruanui are located in southern Taranaki (see attached map of the iwi of Taranaki) and have approximately 4000 members. The history of Ngati Ruanui's interaction with the Crown has been detailed in the Waitangi Tribunal's Interim Taranaki Report published in 1996. An account of the historical background agreed between the Crown and Ngati Ruanui is included in the Deed of Settlement, along with acknowledgements of Crown breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and a Crown Apology for those breaches. Ngati Ruanui's claims related in general terms to breaches by the Crown of its obligations, in particular the waging of war resulting in loss of life and the confiscation of land and other land dealings. Negotiations on a settlement package with Ngati Ruanui began in April 1999 and a Heads of Agreement recording agreement on the main components of a settlement package was signed on 7 September 1999. A full Deed of Settlement, the formal Crown offer to settle Ngati Ruanui's historical claims under the Treaty of Waitangi, was initialled by the Ngati Ruanui negotiators and Crown representatives on 1 March 2001. The Deed was subsequently ratified by the members of Ngati Ruanui through a postal ballot. The Deed is implemented following the passage of the required legislation through Parliament. Ngati Ruanui was represented in negotiations by the Ngati Ruanui Muru me te Raupatu Working Party. The Office of Treaty Settlements headed by Ross Philipson, with the support of Treasury, the 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 Hon Margaret Wilson represented the Crown in high level negotiations with Ngati Ruanui.   PREVIOUS | CONTENTS | NEXT

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