The Diary - Peace for Pekapeka

Diary of News and Resources on Waitara land rights and the Peace for Pekapeka Initiative

NPDC - Points of Clarification for Maori Affairs Committee 3rd March
... arising after the February 2017 Public Hearings, and regarding

- The relationship between the Pekapeka Block and the endowment Lands
- What happened to the endowment lands?
- What non-leasehold endowment land is left?
- Was Waitara East also confiscated, or was it purchased fairly or otherwise?
- Are leaseholders correct when they say Te Atiawa has already received compensation in the 1940s?
- The origin and significance of section 117 of the Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Act 2016
- Why was the Head of Agreement signed one day before the Deed of Settlement?
- Is the Heads of Agreement with Te Atiawa more than a list of issues to be discussed?
- Te Atiawa contributions to the Bill based on the Head of Agreement

The signed Heads of Agreement is also attached here

2nd Hearing of the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands Bill)
at Owae Marae, 16 North Street, Waitara - Friday 17th February 2017

Chester Borrows on Paakiwaha, Waatea Radio
(audio) interviewed by Willie Jackson, Waatea Radio 24 February 2017
Chester Borrows: [The Maori Affairs Select Committee] particularly has always worked on a consensus and so we very rarely have a vote on anything. We may state different views on it, but generally the work of the committee goes back uncontested and I don't recall having a vote on that committee, which is really important. And there is no government majority on the committee either, so its a consensus-driven, committee and so it should be. ... And the record can show that there was disagreement on the committee, and everyone can vote that it was a true record of what was said ... so you don't necessarily need to have a big stoush over everything.

Settlement putea transferred but claims unfinished
Waatea News, 24th February 2017
Taranaki Tuturu, Te Atiawa, and Ngaruahine yesterday received the remainder of their financial and cultural redress, bringing to an end this stage of the treaty settlement process [...] Despite the formal part of Te Atiawa’s settlement being completed, members have a sense of unfinished business over the Pekapeka Block in Waitara.
Interview with Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa CEO Hemi Sundgren by Dale Husband

Te Kotahitanga O Te Atiawa Continues to Oppose Waitara Bill
Press Release: Te Atiawa Trust, 20th February 2017
Trust Chairperson Liana Poutu: "We weren't engaged in the development of the detail or the drafting of the Bill. We only saw a draft two days before the Bill went out to public consultation. Some people said that we initially supported the Bill and changed our minds later, that's simply not the case. We supported the principles that were set out in the non-binding heads of agreement on which the Bill would be developed but when we saw the Bill it didn't meet our expectations.[...] There is no question that we fully support our hapu as mana whenua and our hapu should be involved in any resolution that is developed moving forward. We have this Bill which is one resolution that we tried our best to resolve but there are a number of options that haven't yet been explored. From our point of view there is a solution but this Bill is not

Te Atiawa opposes land bill but keen to be part of better solution
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 20th February 2017
Liana Poutu did not believe all the possible options had been properly explored and more time was needed to do

Manukorihi Hapu Chair Patsy Bodger interviewed by Dale Husband
(audio) Radio Waatea Breakfast with Dale 20th February 2017
Patsy Bodger reviews the Maori Affairs Select Committee NPDC (Waitara) Land Bill submission hearings that were held at Owae Marae last Friday.

Liana Poutu - Te pire whenua mo Waitara
(audio) Radio Waatea 20th February 2017
I te Paraire kua hipa tuu ai te hui a te koomiti whiriwhiri whenua Maori me ngaa kaikereme kua whai paanga ki te tuku tono mo te whenua o

Peeni Henare - Nga take nui o te waa
(audio) Radio Waatea 20th February 2017
Nga nekehanga oona i mua i ngaa koowhiringa pooti me te hui mo te whenua Pekapeka i Waitara, Taranaki

Parihaka solution mooted for Waitara
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand News, 18 February 2017
Liana Poutu, chairwoman of Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa says a reconciliation process similar to that for Parihaka offered a way forward: "I don't think it is something we pick up and dump here and replicate but what it shows and indicates to me is that this can be dealt with outside of Treaty settlements and it can be dealt with outside of legislation and we need to take some time to explore it."

Kill Waitara Lands Bill – Te Atiawa Leader
(video) by Heeni Brown, Maori Television 17th February 2017
Peter Moeahu: "We look to you our Political All Blacks we ask you to search your heart of hearts and ask yourself what is the right moral and just thing to do. What is the right moral and just thing to do? There can only be one right answer that is to return the land to tangata whenua. Mr Chairman, this may be done at the time of the Taranaki Maunga settlement by inclusion in that bill provisions to remove the endowment from the Waitara land and return it to tangata whenua ensuring the leaseholder rights are protected are guaranteed under that transfer provision. In the meantime let’s kill bill."

Select committee meeting hears widespread opposition to land bill
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 17th February 2017
Awhina Cameron, chief executive of Tu Tama Wahine and a member of the Taranaki Maori Women's Network, tabled a petition to the select committee during her submission.The document, signed by 2340 people, calls for all MPs to challenge and vote against the bill and asks for the council and government officials to get back around the table and come up with a better solution.

'Give it back' refrain at Waitara Lands Bill hearing
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand News, 17th February 2017
Manukorihi Hapu Chairperson Patsy Bodger rejected the bill and said the bottom line was that the land should be returned. "If the land is not returned it will only perpetuate the grievance that exists to this today and our tamariki and mokopuna will be left to continue the challenge to have the stolen lands returned. We want our lands back so that our whanau and our community can start healing and build towards a positive future."

Maori Select Committee hearing Iwi on controversial Waitara Lands Bill
by Kelvin McDonald, Maori Television, 17th February 2017
The iwi says the final bill is not in the best interests of Te Atiawa. It believes significantly more Waitara land should be returned and that the bill should provide solutions that have a less polarising impact on the local community. It also says it would like to see the bill recognise the truth about the Waitara land confiscation.

Waitara hapu air Pekapeka grievance
by Radio Waatea, 17th February 2017
Only one of the 14 submitters in the morning session, a Pakeha lessee, spoke in favour of the bill, while other Pakeha lessees supported the iwi position.
Waatea Radio News on Survey Pegs marking the history of struggle (audio) Interview with Leonie Pihama

2nd Hearing of the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands Bill)
at Owae Marae, 16 North Street, Waitara - Friday 17th February 2017
Full coverage at Owae Marae on Facebook Live by Waatea News

Part One (1 hour 47 mins)

Kiterangi Cameron, Glen Bennett and Te Aorangi Dillon
Lynne Holdem - NZ Association of Psychotherapists
Awhina Cameron - and presentation of Petition with 2,340 signatures
Fiona Clark - Te Ara o Pekapeka Trust
Andrew Larsen - Leaseholder
Jocelyn Millard
Kuia Te Rau Aroha Watene Taungatara Denness
Peter Moeahu
Moana Denness - Manukorihi Hapu o Waitara
Pat Bodger - Manukorihi Hapu o Waitara
Ria Julian (... not fully recorded)

Part Two (40 mins)

Sue Comrie
Urs Signer and Emily Bailey
Veronica Tawahi
Chona Telford

Part Three (1 hour 22 mins)

Kirsty Ngamata Skipper
Carl Chenery - Tamaki Treaty Workers
Tiri and James Porter
David Doorbar - Otaraua Hapu
James O'Carrol and Christopher O'Carrol - Ngatiawa Whanau Otaraua
Nganeko Eriwata
Trent Hall - Leaseholder
Grant Knuckey
Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust

Peace for Pekapeka -
Taranaki Maori Women’s Network
Friday 17th February 2017

Karakia and Blessing of symbolic pegs at the Carrington statue outside New Plymouth Courthouse,
Robe Street Park, New Plymouth -
Facebook Live video by Leonie Pihama

New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki Regional Council presentation to the Maori Affairs Select Committee
in Wellington on Wednesday 15 February 2017.
NPDC: The Council is not the Crown and is not a Treaty settlement partner. The established law is clear that land vested in a local authority, such as the Waitara land, is private land and not available for inclusion in settlements. To separately legislate to require NPDC to transfer all of the confiscated Waitara land to iwi would be inconsistent with this established approach.

2nd Hearing of the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the New Plymouth District Council (Waitara
will be held at Owae Marae, 16 North Street, Whaitara - Friday 17th February 2017
9am Powhiri, followed by cup of tea
10am Hearing to commences
3pm Hearing closes
Te Korimako O Taranaki and Radio Waatea will be providing visual and audio live coverage.
If you would like to be involved or further information, please email [email protected].

Otaraua resists Waitara land grab
(audio) Interview with Rawiri Doorbar, Radio Waatea, 13th February 2017
Rawiri Doorbar says Otaraua's bottom line is still the return of the whenua that sparked the first Taranaki War in 1860, but the bill makes that an even more distant possibility. Full Interview here.

Big turn out for marae clean up
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News 12 February 2017
About 50 volunteers turned out for a working bee at Waitara's Owae Marae on Saturday to spruce up the place ahead of what is a busy month at the pa site ... which will include the Maori Affairs select committee hearing which will be held on Friday regarding the New Plymouth (Waitara Lands) Bill.

How to Explain Waitara to your Pakeha Friends and Relations
by vivian Hutchinson, Waitangi Day, 6 February 2017
It is not a complex issue. Any child knows the common-sense fair go that says if you steal something, then you should give it back. The dispute over the Waitara Lands is only complex when you are able to come up with 1001 ways of avoiding this common simplicity.

PM Bill English gave two speeches on Waitangi Day. Both were remarkable. Both were almost entirely ignored
by Simon Wilson, The Spinoff, 9 February 2017
The takeaways [from his Waitangi Day speech] were provocative. First, have we ever before had a National Party prime minister who speaks so unequivocally in support of Māori agency – and of Māori activism that lays the foundation for Māori agency? Second, if the Bastion Point protest was historically invaluable, what does that say for other protest movements today – inside Māoridom and more widely?

Face to face with Andrew Judd, recovering racist
by Joanna Wane, North and South, 5th February 2017 with photography by Glenn Jeffrey
Andrew Judd's message for Waitangi Day 2017: Challenge the thoughts that have been planted in you, all the myths presented as facts – truly challenge them. Get onto a marae and look into the eyes of Maori. It wasn’t reading a book that changed me, but seeing and speaking to real people in their environment. I’m not trying to be a Maori, because I’m not one. But we have to stop this cycle of ignorance. We haven’t confronted our past as Pakeha. I feel lied to and robbed of that knowledge, because I wasn’t told it at school. It’s not about blame, because that’s history. It’s about finding a way to move forward. But it will be a generational shift and it will take time.

Recovering racist Andrew Judd walks with his son into Parihaka Pa on Waitangi Day. Photograph/Glenn Jeffrey Facebook

Council blames human error for getting banks to demand Waitara leaseholders pay 'rates'
by Helen Harvey, Taranaki Daily News, 9th February 2017
The New Plymouth District council has done an about face and apologised after attempting to force 12 Waitara leaseholders to pay increased rents by approaching their banks for the money.

A costly and controversial land bill facing stiff opposition from Maori
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 1st February 2017
Te Atiawa declined to buy the land back, at a cost of $23 million, as part of its Treaty of Waitangi settlement deal. It chose instead to enter into a non-binding Heads of Agreement with NPDC to draft a local bill to present to Parliament as a means to try and resolve the issue. Initially, the bill had the backing of Te Atiawa but it had since changed its mind. In its written submission, it asked the NPDC to either withdraw the bill or for the select committee to refuse to support it. Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chairwoman Liana Poutu said the iwi deserved to have more land returned to it and the level of discontent among its members about the bill had also been a factor in its decision to withdraw support for it. In their submissions, Manukorihi and Otaraua hapu have also voiced strong opposition. [...] The NPDC have said they are bound by legal and fiduciary obligations that are set out in the Local Government Act 2002 and in common law.

Select Committee Hearing at Owae Marae Confirmed for 17th February 2017
by Manukorihi Pa Trustees, Facebook, 24th January 2017
from David Rogers, Chairman, Manukorihi Pa Reserve Trustees: "With the first Hearings of submissions being heard at the New Plymouth Novotel in December 2016, Nuk Korako, Chairman of the Maori Select Committee, graciously accepted the Trusts invitation to hold the second round of hearings at Owae Marae at Waitara on the 17th February 2017. The Third and final hearings will be received in Wellington at a later date."

(above) Manukorihi Pa Reserve Trustees and Trust Secretary accommodate a photo request of Nuk Korako, (3rd from left in back row- white shirt) conducting the Hearings of the Waitara Lands Bill. Photograph/Manukorihi Pa Facebook

Council spends $400k developing rejected bill
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand, 22nd December 2016
eight_col_NPDC_colour_adjusted..620.jpg The New Plymouth District Council has spent more than $400,000 on consultants drawing up a bill aimed at resolving historical land issues at Waitara, which Te Ātiawa has rejected. Chief executive Barbara McKerrow said the council had spent $435,000 on legal, survey and valuation advice since work on the Waitara Lands Bill began in 2015.In addition, Ms McKerrow said the bill had been a significant project for a number of council staff, but she could not put a price on this.

Land wars site touted as golf resort
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand, 18 January 2017
An historic property on the market for the first time in 170 years, was the site of the 1860 Battle of Waireka ... fought just 11 days after the first Taranaki War began at Waitara ...

Hapu stands up for history in land sale
by Waatea News, 23 January 2017
A member of Taranaki’s Nga Mahanga-a-Tairi hapu wants any purchaser of a dairy farm just south of New Plymouth to recognise its historic significance as the site of one of the first major battles of the land wars

Jim Tucker: Learning history a way to avoid past mistakes
Comment by Jim Tucker, Taranaki Daily News, 6th January 2017
Taranaki heritage sights such as this one in Waitara will be part of a new app tour of Land War sites set up by Heritage Taranaki.

Kennedy Warne: Is sorry enough?
by Kennedy Warne, e-Tangata Sunday Magazine, 18 December 2016
Crown apologies are a standard feature of Treaty settlement legislation, but they are not token statements of regret. Rather, they contain frank and moving admissions of past transgressions, and promises of future relationship-building based on honour and respect. [...] The purpose, clearly, is to bring psychological closure to a traumatic history and establish the conditions for future trust ... But is saying sorry enough?

Empty seats spark treaty challenge
Waatea News, 2nd December 2016
Labour’s Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare is challenging his fellow MPs to show up for treaty settlement bills. This week’s special sitting to pass the Te Atiawa, Taranaki Tuturu and Ngaruahine settlements drew hundreds of Taranaki people to the galleries but only a smattering of MPs to their green leather benches.

Hundreds on hand to see iwi history being made
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 30th November 2016
Hundreds of people from Taranaki travelled to Wellington last week to see the third and final reading of three iwi treaty settlement bills.

Historic day as Taranaki settlements pass
by Shannon Haunui-Thompson, Te Manu Korihi, Radio New Zealand 30th November 2016
Tribal members filled the public gallery of Parliament as representatives of Ngāruahine, Te Ātiawa and Taranaki Tuturu sang songs and performed a poi and a haka as the bills were passed, giving legislative effect to their settlements to address the historical injustices inflicted on their people.

Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill - Third reading - Part 8 Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Parliament, Wellington 29th November 2016
Nanaia Mahuta MP: This is the first time in any Treaty settlement debate that I have made any contribution on where I have a real sense of concern, and where I need to call on the moral fibre of the character of each of us as decision makers and as leaders to ask the question: have we got it right? ... I feel that there is one matter outstanding, which has not been addressed and must be, and it is the Pekapeka Block.

Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill - Third reading - Part 1 Hon Chris Findlayson, Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Parliament, Wellington 29th November 2016
Hon Chris Findlayson: I acknowledge that one of the emotions being felt by some Te Atiawa today will be frustration around the issue of the Waitara endowment lands. I hope this will be a generation that reaches some resolution over this land...

Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa & Taranaki reach treaty settlement milestone
(video) Heta Gardiner, Te Kaea, Maori Television News 30 November 2016
But the ink has not dried on the agreement and concerns have already been raised...

History set to be made for trio of Taranaki iwi as treaty bills poised for final readings
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 29th November 2016
The third and final reading of Treaty of Waitangi settlement bills for Taranaki, Te Atiawa and Ngaruahine iwi groups will take place in Parliament. The historic day also marks the beginning of a new chapter for each iwi.

Chester Borrows: A Treaty decision that requires the wisdom of Solomon
Comment by Chester Borrows, Taranaki Daily News, 22nd November 2016
Allowing for compensation to be granted by one bill and returning the land under another bill would be seen as double compensation and would probably set other iwi off around the country coming back to the government trying to get the same terms and conditions as Te Atiawa would enjoy.This would be like a red rag to a bull to the New Zealand public who have believed the settlements are supposed to have been 'full and final'.

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust Submission to the Maori Affairs Select Committee, 7th November 2016
Te Kotahitanga Trustees engaged with NPDC in good faith to work through the high level principles upon which the proposal for the Bill had been developed. However, it was clear from the outset that there were significant limitations on what Te Kotahitanga could achieve through this engagement, as a decision by NPDC as to what land would be available for transfer has been made prior to the Heads of Agreement being signed.
[...] The decision of Te Kotahitanga to oppose the Bill, following good faith engagement with NPDC on its high level principles, was not a decision made lightly. As such, our submission sets out our views based on the following rationale: A. Te Atiawa people deserve to have more land returned; B. The Waitara community deserves certainty and prosperity; and C. New Zealand deserves to know the truth about Waitara.

Iwi withdraws support for Taranaki land deal
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand, 18th November 2016
Te Ātiawa has withdrawn its support for a bill designed to end one of the longest and most bitter land disputes in New Zealand. [...] It said the bill was not in the best interests of Te Ātiawa, and iwi members and Waitara hapū members were overwhelmingly against it. The iwi said the original non-binding Heads of Agreement with the district did not allow it enough time to consult with iwi members and it was not directly involved in the drafting of the bill. Its preference was to have more land returned, but the council determined what land was available for transfer, it said. Te Ātiawa said it made submissions to council when it was publicly notified, but most of the amendments it suggested were not adopted.

Te Atiawa tables opposition to land bill as public hearing gets underway
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 18th November 2016
Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chairwoman Liana Poutu said the bill was not in the best interests of the people of Te Atiawa. [...] Poutu said the iwi deserved to have more land returned to it and the Waitara township as a whole should have "certainty and prosperity." She said the level of discontent among iwi and hapu members about the bill was also a factor. Many from within Te Atiawa have called for the land to be returned, with no price tag attached. In September, a Peace for Pekapeka march was organised by the Taranaki Maori Women's Network as a show of opposition to the bill.

Committee backtracks on decision to side line Waitara from land bill hearing
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 16th November 2016
The Maori Affairs select committee has done a u-turn on its decision to exclude Waitara as a venue for a public hearing about a controversial land bill. The committee announced there would now be two hearings about the New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands) Bill - one in New Plymouth this Friday and another in Waitara in February next year.

Hapu 'dumbfounded' by decision to hold land bill hearing outside of Waitara
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 11th November 2016
Rawiri Doorbar: "I am just "I'm just dumbfounded. There's no reason why it couldn't have been held in Waitara. The whole matter is all about our community."

Cultural snub if land bill hearing not held on marae, says hapu
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 8th November 2016
Patsy Bodger says no booking had been made at Waitara's Owae Marae, a place which is arguably Te Atiawa's most important meeting point and a site closely connected to the confiscated land at the heart of the proposed legislation.

New Plymouth District Council Submission to the Maori Affairs Select Committee, 3rd October 2016
While this Bill provides for approximately 45 per cent of the endowment land to Te Atiawa, either through direct vesting or by rights of first refusal, and co-governance of the proceeds of the remaining lands, and that Te Atiawa negotiators declined the uptake of the leasehold lands in their Treaty settlement, some in the community have called for the return of all endowment land to Te Atiawa and, in particular, the hapū. This reflects that it was confiscated land and should therefore be returned.
To do this would be inconsistent with the Council’s wider statutory obligations regarding prudent financial conduct. Irrespective of how the Crown acquired the Pekapeka Block, endowing it on the predecessors of the Council was a legal act and the land is an asset in the Council’s books.
The logic behind statements that the Council is the receiver of stolen goods and should give them back could apply to endowments granted to local authorities, universities, health boards, and various other public bodies all over New Zealand. Similar land will now likely be held by and in the books of other related entities such as port companies (some of which are privatised and even listed, but still Council controlled).
If the concept is valid, it should apply to all endowments, or indeed even sales for value, by the Crown of land taken or purchased unfairly from Māori by the Crown, but to require forfeiture of what is now regarded as private (i.e. non-Crown) assets would cut across one of the key principles of Treaty settlements. Further, the bona fide receiver of the land (which did not even exist when the Crown took the land) would be entitled to look to the Crown for compensation.

NZ Geographic: Why Wasn't I Told?
by Kennedy Warne, NZ Geographic, November-December 2016
I'm driving from the north, so I stop at Waitara, where all the trouble began, and still hasn't ended ...

Deadline looming for submissions on controversial Waitara land bill
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News, 2nd November 2016
Grant Knuckey: "This is the final opportunity to have a say on the controversial piece of legislation. This is it to me. This is possibly the final settling of this particular matter."

Peace for Pekapeka - The Wire on 95bFM 14th October 2016
(audio) Lillian Hanly on the Peace for Pekapeka hikoi

The Anti-separatist group, Hobson's Pledge, is modern day colonisation - says New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd
by Hannah Lee, Taranaki Daily News 30 September 2016
Judd called out Prime Minister John Key, to speak out about how Maori partnership has proved to be beneficial, including within his own coalition government with the Maori Party.

Waitara Lands Bill opens for public submissions
by Leighton Keith, Taranaki Daily News 26th September 2016
The public now has the opportunity to have its say on the Waitara Lands Bill which is being considered by Parliament's Maori Affairs Committee.

Submissions Called On Waitara Lands Bill
New Plymouth District Council Press Statement 26th September 2016

Winston Peters should be docked the cost of aborted Treaty settlements from his own salary
Editorial by Jonathan Milne, Sunday Star-Times 25th September 2016
It was the eve of the 1999 election. In secrecy, in the office of the Treaty negotiations minister, Sir Douglas Graham, with no announcement, no speeches and no waiata, two representatives of Te Atiawa signed the iwi's draft Treaty settlement.

A new precedent for hapū settlements?
by Mihingarangi Forbes, Te Manu Korihi Radio New Zealand, 23 September 2016
The government has always negotiated treaty settlements with large natural groupings, but recently Minister for Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson accepted changes to the Ngāpuhi settlement, which could see a settlement split six ways, with hapū the driving force. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Ngāti Aukiwa had claimed Stony Creek Station should be returned to its hapū, not the whole iwi as the settlement bill required.

Treaty settlement bills stoush could re-ignite controversy over Taranaki local govt Maori representation
(video) by Katie Bradford, TVNZ 22nd September 2016
Mr Peters says one of his main objections is to a provision in one of the bills that allows for Maori representation on local councils.

Iwi groups disappointed Govt cancels final settlement readings
(video) by Talisa Kupenga Maori Television News, Wednesday 21st September 2016
NZ First pulled its support after National requested an informal variation to the proxy, meaning more than 25% of their MPs could be absent from the readings ... Otaraua Hapū chair David Doorbar says, “Having half a dozen MPs in the house when any bill is passing is disrespectful especially if you're talking about historical grievances.”

NZ First pulled support over Māori representation provision in Treaty Bill
(video) by Eruera Rerekura, TVNZ Te Karere 21st September 2016

Winston Peters defends Treaty Bill delay
(audio) Waatea Radio 21st September 2016
Winston Peters says aspects of the bills need to be debated, including the one settling the claims of Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa in his Northland electorate. Peters: "All of the iwi is going to get what belongs to one hapu in Whangaroa. That is wrong. It is wrong in Maori law, it is wrong going back centuries in the way we see things ..."

NZ First cops flak after pulling support for Treaty Bills
by Eruera Rerekura, TVNZ Te Karere 21st September 2016

Peace for Pekapeka Hikoi — Wednesday 21st September 2016

News from the Peace for Pekapeka Hikoi Day and Community Conversation

Taranaki people walk together to show unity against controversial land bill
(with video) by Deena Coster Taranaki Daily News 21st September 2016
Taking a walk on land confiscated from tangata whenua provided Taranaki people with a chance to show their unity against a controversial piece of legislation. The Peace for Pekapeka march left Te Kohia Pa in Brixton on Wednesday morning and as the 200-strong hikoi made its way through the Waitara township, waiata was sung by young and old.

'Just give it back': Peace hikoi against Waitara Lands Bill
(with audio) by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand Checkpoint
Jocelyn Millard: "The people who lived on this land were literally not just walked off, they were paraded off at the end of a gun, and we're coming back to say 'no, the land still belongs to mana whenua'. There are hapū here that have lived here from the beginning and the land needs to go back to them. Just give it back."

Waitara hikoi calls for full return of stolen land
by Josh Price - NewstalkZB 21st September 2016
Jocelyn Millard: "They didn't pay for this land, but they've gained a lot of income over the years through the leaseholds, so there isn't any loss of money by giving it back."

Taranaki hapu oppose council land sell off
by Aroha Treacher, Maori Television News 21st September 2016
Otaraua Hapu Chairman David Doorbar: “This is a showing to ourselves and to our community that this isn't finished it doesn't matter what people say in Wellington it doesn't matter what minister say when they stand in front of TVs this is not finished.”

Hikoi against Waitara Lands Bill calls for return of land
by Irena Smith, Te Karere TV1 21st September 2016

from Facebook Live Video from the Hikoi
Urs Signer (30sec)
Kurt Smith-Komene, Te Korimako o Taranaki 94.8FM (30 mins)

Native Affairs - Selling off Waitara (7 mins)
by Iulia Leilua, Native Affairs (Maori Television) 20th September 2016
The New Plymouth District Council is being accused by some Waitara Māori of selling off stolen land through the Waitara Lands Bill, being read in Parliament tomorrow. The bill will allow the Council to sell off Waitara land leases. It was opposed by just one councillor, Howie Tamati.

Manukorihi hapu to demonstrate opposition to Waitara Land Bill
by Leighton Keith, Taranaki Daily News 20 September 2016
Manukorihi hapu chairwoman Patsy Bodger: " We have not changed our stance in 156 years. We just want the land back. We have never wanted money, we have never wanted anything else, we've just wanted the stolen land to come back to its original owners."

Jocelyn Millard on the Peace for Pekapeka Hikoi
(audio) interviewed by Atereano Mateariki on 95bFM The Wire 20 September 2016

Pekapeka solution sparks protest - Waatea News 20th September 2016
(audio) Louisa Wall MP Labour Party interview with Dale Husband
Taranaki waahine have called a protest march in Waitara tomorrow demanding the return of the land to the iwi. Labour MP Louisa Wall says the issue has generated considerable debate at council level, and now it’s a chance for parliament to consider those submissions.

"The Waitara Land Grab of 2016 — some thoughts on Peace for Pekapeka"
by vivian Hutchinson, 14th September 2016
So how is it, after 40 years of progress with apologies and settlements following the 1975 Maori Land March, that the Taranaki councils and our government are still planning to sell the Waitara lands over which the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s first broke out? And how is it that this can still take place over the very clear protests of the tangata whenua who had their land stolen?

"Hikoi planned to show solidarity against proposed Waitara land legislation"
by Deena Coster, Taranaki Daily News 12th September 2016
Taranaki Maori Women's Network: "We hope to create a space for a new conversation to address some challenging issues within our communities, encouraging profound dialogue which is focussed on healing and social justice."

Landmark Waitara Lands Bill has been introduced to Parliament
by Hannah Lee, Taranaki Daily News 14 September 2016
As the bill makes its way through the parliamentary process, there is still unrest from stakeholders around the bill. The bill is widely seen as a compromise between Waitara leaseholders, who want the opportunity to buy their land freehold, and local hapu - many of whom believe the land should be returned to Maori.

"The New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands) Bill 2016 is likely to be introduced to Parliament this week."
Press Release NPDC Monday 12 Sep 2016

Peace for Pekapeka - Mako Tuuta of the Taranaki Maori Womens Network
(audio) interviewed by Dale Husband on Waatea Radio 15 September 2016

Preparation for the Hikoi

Previous News Items and Resources concerning the Peace for Pekapeka Initiative

Timetable for Hikoi 21st September 2016 ... and Other Useful Information

Help Honour Heal - The Peace for Pekapeka initiative flyer / poster

Google Maps directions to Te Kohia Pa

"Stolen Land and Healing Historic Trauma"
by Awhina Cameron, from her opening korero at the Spring Taranaki Community Circle at the NPDC Council Chambers, 7th September 2016

Crown perpetuates violence against Maori over Waitara land
(audio) Dr Leonie Pihama interviewed by Dale Husband on Waatea Radio 12 Sep 2016

On Taranaki Access Radio: from the Spring Taranaki Community Circle 7th September 2016
NPDC Policy Adviser Greg Stephens speaking on the Waitara Lands Bill.
Awhina Cameron speaking on stolen land and healing historic trauma.

"Waitara - a new take on an old crime" 24th July 2016 e-tangata
by vivian Hutchinson (an edited version of his paper by e-tangata)

Watching the Seabirds at Waitara (2016) — we need a new conversation about a very old land grab
by vivian Hutchinson (full paper)

Maori councillor votes against Taranaki land sales
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand 6th July 2016

Key Background Information

Resources on the Purpose and Theme of the Peace Hikoi and Community Conversation

Peace for Pekapeka - Web Resources Home Page

Parliament: The New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands) Bill

New Plymouth Council webpage on the Waitara Lands Bill

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa webpage on the Waitara Lands Bill

NPDC Map of Waitara Endowment Lands Proposal

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa webpage on the Waitara Lands Bill

Articles by Dr Leonie Pihama (Te Atiawa, Ngati Mahanga, Nga Mahanga a Tairi)
"Colonial naming reproduces Historical Trauma" Te Wharepora Hou 16 February 2016
"An Open Letter to Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa: Hold the Pekapeka Block" Te Wharepora Hou 9 July 2016
"Crown Processes Continue To Abuse Maori" Te Wharepora Hou 9 September 2016

"Te Atiawa 'blood money' accusation"
by Robin Martin, Radio New Zealand 21 June 2016

"Land Wars Start over Pekapeka Block" (2003, Puke Ariki Museum)
by Virginia Winder, on the origins of the Taranaki Land Wars

New Zealand Land Wars - A Summary (3 mins) 2010

Te Kohia Pa - Interview with Ramon Tito from Te Atiawa
(video) Puke Ariki

First shot fired in NZ Land Wars remembered
by Eruera Rerekura, TVNZ Te Karere 17th March 2016

Wikipedia Article on the Taranaki Land Wars

“Leasehold land fight drags over decades” (2014)
by Jim Tucker New Zealand Herald 11 March 2014

The Claim (2014) on Native Affairs (Maori Television)
(video) by Renee Kahukura-Iosefa 7 July 2014

Peace for Pekapeka - Diary - Sept 2016 - March 2017

Peace for Pekapeka Hikoi — Wednesday 21st September 2016

Preparation for the Hikoi

Key Background Information