Letter of Intent

Tēnā koe,

 

This letter re-affirms the position of the Te Waiariki, Ngāti Kororā, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū Iwi Trust (hereinafter referred to as the Hapū Iwi Trust) as the official organisation that represents the beneficiaries of Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari (Ngāti Taka) Hapū within the Rohe of Te Waiariki. In formulating this letter, the Hapū Iwi Trust notifies your organisation that in the first instance, no other organisation or individuals have been given the mandate to represent or speak on behalf of the beneficiaries of Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari Hapū except those that have been formally nominated or permitted to do so through the support and endorsement of the Hapū Iwi Trust.

 

Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū were guaranteed “Tino Rangatiratanga o ngā taonga katoa”. Article 2, Māori version; at the very least have “the full exclusive undisturbed possession of their most prized possessions”. Article 2, Pakeha text; our understanding of Te Tiriti is that the recognition and acknowledgement and indeed protection of our Tino Rangatiratanga means that for anything that affects our rights as Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, we will have to agree to it. This is fundamental to the treaty partnership. The Crown cannot unilaterally legislate for us.

​

Our expectation is that the Crown recognise the Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake of Te Waiariki , Ngāti Kororā, Ngāti Takapari as Rangatira to develop solutions which relate to laws, decisions or regulations. These decisions will affect our rights and ensure we must have equity and we must be able to participate freely with any Crown Minister or organisation. In He Whakaputanga, the rangatira declared their independent status as a sovereign nation and affirmed their rights as tangata whenua (indigenous people) to govern their own affairs, including the lands and waters within their territories. The declaration acknowledged the mana (authority) and rangatiratanga (chieftainship) of Māori over their ancestral lands and resources, which encompassed the moana as an integral part of their domain.

​

Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū have and will always retain Rangatiratanga as sovereigns concerning the mana of our people, lands and resources. At no time since 1835 or 1840 have Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū ceded their rangatiratanga or have they agreed to a variation of the agreement reached under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

For future reference, any inquiries concerning this letter of intent or the representation of Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū can be directed to the Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari, Hapū Iwi Trust. Our official website at www.tewaiariki.com will assist your organisation to understand who we are as a Hapū Iwi Trust and contact can be made by email to: kaitiaki@tewaiariki.com. The Hapū Iwi Trust look forward to your response and propose to meet with your organisation to establish a more formal working relationship.

​

Ngā mihi,

​

Pereri Mahanga

​​

Kai-hautu / Taurapa / Chair

​