Orakei burning recalled at signing
Monday 7th November, 2011
It was a sense of job done for associate Maori affairs minister Georgina Te Heuheu at Orakei on Saturday.
Mrs Te Heuheu was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal that reported on Ngati Whatua’s historical claims back in 1988.
She returned for the signing of the full and final settlement of the hapu’s historic claims, which includes another $18 million in compensation and the right to buy naval properties in Devonport.
Mrs Te Heuheu says it was particularly relevant that the signing was on Okahu domain, because it was the site of the kainga cleared before a royal visit in 1952.
“An old Pakeha couple from across the bay came to the hearing and told us about how they could hear the women wailing and the houses burning, so these are things that are part of our history, it’s great that today the Crown is in a position to bring back some honour to itself and in the process also to recognise the mana of Ngati Whatua,” she says.
Mrs Te Heuheu says Ngati Whatua opened their hearts and their lands to help with the settlement of Auckland, but when the claims started they were virtually landless.
Next Article: Warriors school response to unschooled adults