Payment to Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust recognises past losses

September 8

An ex-gratia payment of $5 million made to the Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust in Motueka last week recognised how much money the iwi missed out because of unfair perpetual leases. The payment signals a new step forward for the management of the Whakarewa lands around Motueka, says Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

(Ex gratia is Latin "by favour" and is most often used in a legal context. When something has been done ex gratia, it has been done voluntarily, out of kindness or grace. In law, an ex gratia payment is a payment made without the giver recognising any liability or legal obligation.)

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples and Ngati Rarua Atiawa Trust signed a memorandum of understanding at Parliament last Thursday. You can view YouTube footage of the announcement on Maori TV by . The payment is not a treaty settlement.

The Anglican Church acquired the 371 hectares of Ngati Rarua Atiawa iwi's land near Motueka under Governor George Grey. The reserves were formerly administered by the Whakarewa School Board on an imposed perpetual leasing regime similar to the adjacent Maori reserves, which saw less than fair rentals being received by the Maori owners. The Whakarewa lands were not returned for the benefit of the descendents of the original owners until 1993 when the Trust was established to benefit those descendents.

"This payment is on the basis of the Crown’s recognition of past rental losses incurred by the Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust," said Dr Sharples. "Compensation was paid to other Maori reserved land owner groups in 2002 but the iwi missed out because it was not administered in the same way.

"The payment will boost the Trust's financial ability to better manage and develop the Whakarewa Lands. It will not change any leasing arrangements the Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust have with their lessees. The payment is not a Treaty settlement. The payment to the Trust and its beneficiaries will have economic benefits to the wider community," Dr Sharples said.

In 2003, NRAIT chairman Paul Morgan told Wakatu Incorporation shareholders that NRAIT was due just under $9m to compensate it for historic under-market rents.

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