General Background

Ngati Tama is an iwi of Taranaki and its members are the descendants of Whata, Rakaeiora, and Tamaariki of the Tokomaru waka. Ngati Tama is located in Northern Taranaki (see attached map of Taranaki) and has approximately 1000 members.

The history of Ngati Tama's interaction with the Crown has been detailed in the Waitangi Tribunal's Taranaki Report published in 1996. An account of the historical background agreed between the Crown and Ngati Tama plus the Crown's acknowlegements of breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and a Crown apology for those breaches are included in the Deed of Settlement. A summary of these is included in the attached material.

Ngati Tama's claims relate in general terms to breaches by the Crown of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and in particular the wars in Taranaki which resulted in loss of life, the confiscation of land and other land dealings.

Negotiations on a settlement package with Ngati Tama began in April 1998. The Deed of Settlement was agreed between the Crown and Ngati Tama's negotiators on 5 November this year and was subject to ratification by the members of Ngati Tama. Ratification was achieved and following the formal signing today by both the Crown and Ngati Tama, the Deed becomes binding on the two parties and subject only to the establishment of a suitable governance entity and the passage of settlement legislation.

Ngati Tama was represented in negotiations by the Claims Progression Team led by Mr Greg White. The Office of Treaty Settlements 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, Hon Margaret Wilson, represented the Crown in high-level negotiations with Ngati Tama.

ENDS