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Lake tribe will not be pushed aside by deal
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 • Shaan Te Kani
THE iwi of Lake Waikaremoana says it will not be pushed aside as it reacts to news that management decisions for Te Urewera National Park could be made by an entity comprising Tuhoe and Crown representatives.

With the lake a major icon of the park, Ngati Ruapani ki Waikaremoana has concerns over the implications of a $170 million Treaty of Waitangi settlement deal between Tuhoe and the Crown — which could see 212,672ha vested in a new legal entity and Tuhoe having an increasing management role in the park.

Before Tuhoe can sign off on the deal, it needs to be accepted by iwi members . . . and Ruapani has been included in their deed of mandate.

Spokesman for Ruapani claimant collective Te Toi Kura o Waikaremoana, Vern Winitana, says they welcome whatever Tuhoe wants to settle on its side of the Huiarau Ranges — but Waikaremoana area and the lake itself should not be included.

“We have had no positive negotiations with Tuhoe at this time,” he said.

“Until that occurs, I can’t see how the Crown can sign off on anything.

“The Tuhoe settlement depends on negotiations with other iwi and that includes Ruapani ki Waikaremoana.

“Others may also stake an interest, including Te Tira Whakaemi — a collective of tribes from Ngati Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa and Te Whanau a Kai in the Turanga (Gisborne) area.

“To think that this is the full and final settlement is very optimistic.”

Ngati Ruapani ki Waikaremoana already has a Treaty settlement lodged.

“It was acknowledged by the Waitangi Tribunal and the Crown and we will be going back to the tribunal this week,” said Mr Winitana.

“We are not going to have Ruapani submerged by Tuhoe.

“That’s the message that our people are saying.”

The iwi would still like to see the park used by the public, he said.
LAKE IWI NOT IMPRESSED: Ngati Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, opposes a deal for Tuhoe to have an increasing management role in Te Urewera National Park — particularly over the lake and immediate environs. Above is the lake as viewed from the top of Panekiri Bluff. File picture
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