What’s the Land Settlement about?
In 2015 a Waitangi Tribunal investigation found that in the 1840s the government used illegal and deceptive tactics to acquire 89,000 acres of Whanganui land from local Hapū and Iwi. While no settlement can fully compensate for past injustices, the Whanganui land settlement that is being negotiated acknowledges the wrongs of the past and charts a positive course for the future.
Treaty settlement negotiations between the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust (WLSNT) and the Crown have been progressing since 2017 and are now nearing their conclusion. Before they can be finalised, they will need to be ratified by Whanganui Hapū and Iwi.
Following the settlement and a process of ratification, a new trust called Takapau Whariki Trust will be established and will become the post-settlement representative entity for members of Whanganui Hapū and Iwi.
How is the council involved?
In December 2018, Whanganui District Council made a commitment to explore a relationship that would see the council walk beside Whanganui Hapū and Iwi in support of their Treaty land settlement negotiations.
The council now needs to make decisions on the next steps in our partnership journey with Whanganui Hapū and Iwi – which will set out how we work together. We are excited to share where we are at – and want to have open conversations with our community to support our decision-making.
Post-settlement, the council would work more closely with Hapū and Iwi in a number of areas. Working together is not new – in Whanganui, the council, government agencies and Hapū/Iwi already work constructively together to improve life for our community in a range of ways. Examples include the Te Pūwaha port redevelopment, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment, Te Puna Hapori justice and community wellbeing hub, and our work with Safer Whanganui.
The shift into the post-settlement era for Whanganui Hapū and Iwi provides a unique opportunity for the council to embark on new ways of working that will centre local needs and solutions.
What's coming up?
After settlement, a new trust called Takapau Whariki will be established. Three initiatives – set out below – will provide a platform for joint work between the council and Takapau Whariki.
Take our quick survey
See our info board for updates and FAQs