Background Historical Background Deed of Settlement Questions and Answers

General Background The Pouakani People are a community with Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Raukawa and Te Arawa affiliations. Their claims centre on the 49,514 hectare Pouakani block situated between Lake Taupo and Mangakino. The historical claims of the Pouakani People relate to the operation and impact of the Native Land Court and the Native land laws in the 19th century. In addition, there are boundary claims relating to a dispute over the location of the western boundary of the Pouakani Block. The claims were pursued in the High Court and the Maori Land Court throughout the 20th century and hearings by the Waitangi Tribunal began in 1989. The Tribunal published its Pouakani Report in 1993. Negotiations on a settlement package between the Crown and the Pouakani People began in 1994. A Deed of Settlement, the formal Crown offer to settle the claims of the Pouakani People, was initialed by the Pouakani negotiators on 27 September 1999 and, after ratification by the Pouakani People, was signed in November of that year. Legislation to implement the settlement was passed by Parliament in September 2000 and came into force in March 2001. The Pouakani People were represented in negotiations by the Chief Negotiator John Hanita Paki, chairman of the Pouakani Claims Trust, supported by kaumatua of the affiliated marae as well as farm adviser Kevin Were and surveyor Max Harris. The Office of Treaty Settlements, headed by Ross Philipson, with the support of the Treasury and the Department of Conservation, represented the Crown in day to day negotiations. The Pouakani settlement progressed under two Ministers in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Rt Hon Sir Douglas Graham signed the Deed of Settlement on behalf of the Crown and Hon Margaret Wilson oversaw the passage of the enabling legislation through Parliament.   PREVIOUS | CONTENTS | NEXT

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