A Preliminary Research Report on Aspects of the Claim; re: Crown Purchase of Waipoua and Maunganui Blocks in 1876; Manuwhetai and Whangaiariki; and Other Maunganui Aspects of the Claim
Te Roroa claim
Report on Proposed Sewage Scheme at Kakanui
Kakanui Sewage Scheme claim
In 1987, a claim was received from the Oamaru Maori Committee and the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board in respect of the granting of a water right to the Waitaki County Council for the disposal of effluent from a proposed sewage scheme at Kakanui. The claimants alleged that the granting of the water right was contrary to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Waitaki County Council made it clear that they respected the claimants’ views and did not want to proceed with a scheme offensive to Maori in the district. The claimants for their part realised the acute need for a modern sewage treatment plant in the area, so the council and Maori set out to devise a modified scheme together.
The claimants sought leave to withdraw the claim, and, in its report of 20 February 1990, signed by Deputy Chief Judge Ashley McHugh, the Tribunal noted that it would not be inquiring further into the matter, although the claimants would be able to file a fresh claim if the need arose. The Tribunal noted with approval the constructive and cooperative approach adopted by all the parties which made it possible to advance the proposals without the expense and effort of public hearings.
The Ngati Rangiteaorere Claim Report 1990
Rangiteaorere Land claim
Claim Wai 32 was received on 15 April 1987. It was lodged by Te Aho Welsh and others of Ngati Rangiteaorere and alleged that they had been prejudicially affected by the Crown’s granting of tribal land at Te Ngae to the Anglican Church. They claimed that the Crown should have returned the land to the tribe once it was no longer needed for a residential mission station.
The Tribunal constituted to hear the claim comprised Judge Heta Hingston (presiding), Sir Monita Delamere, and Professor Keith Sorrenson, and three hearings were held, one each in December 1989, July 1990, and August 1990.
The Tribunal subsequently released its report in December 1990. The Tribunal found that Ngati Rangiteaorere had been deprived of their land without adequate consultation or consent, in breach of article 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi, and recommended that compensation be paid to them for the time that they were denied the use of the land. Because the church wanted to return the land to the tribe, the Tribunal recommended that the Crown pass legislation to facilitate the release of the land from a trust it was subject to.
