Maunga settlement passes with huge majority in support

Settlement attendees: Our kaumātua were some of the hundreds who turned up to the symbolic signing of Te Ruruku Putakerongo in September.

Te Ruruku Putakerongo, The Taranaki Maunga collective redress deed was officially signed at a ceremony in September in Waitara.

Ngā iwi o Taranaki descended on Owae Marae, where the ceremony welcomed the former Minister of Treaty negotiations, Andrew Little.

The historic deed marked the 100th treaty settlement deed signed by the crown as part of the settlement process. Additionally, the deed marks the last to be negotiated and signed in the Taranaki ro’e.

The ceremony followed a ratification period where ngā uri o Taranaki were asked to vote on it’s acceptance.

Ngā iwi o Taranaki is made up of eight iwi of Taranaki with a total registered population of around 60-thousand.

Voting was held online, in person and via postal ballots closing on the 16th of August.

Just under 7-thousand votes were received across the eight iwi, where a total of 97.65% of the respondants agreeing to the deed. 770 uri o Ngāti Ruanui supported the deed, which was also a majority of 96.64%.

Minister Little said that the signing was a stride for reconcilliation between the crown and the Taranaki iwi.

A full breakdown of information can be found by visiting: maungataranaki.co.nz