The claim began in 1991 with meetings called by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust to outline their Trust and its functions. In August 1992 at Okawa Bay it was agreed that The Crown Forestry Rental Trust would fund groups in researching grievances against the Crown. Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tamauhiri research eventually started on 12 August 1992 under the umbrella of the Mangatu Incorporation Committee of Management. After a short period of time it was decided that the three claimant groups would separate and Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Mangatu Incorporation would concentrate on their claim, with the other groups doing the same.

The Mangatu Claims Committee was formed with the original claimant E.J.T. Ruru as Chairman and members of the Committee of Management, together with a support group of recognised elders to assist in the research. Members of the original Claims Committee were: John Ruru (Chairman), Rutene Irwin, Michael Brown, Peter Gordon, Alan and Nona Haronga, Pene Brown and Kiki Smiler. The Mangatu Committee of Management felt that the claim should be taken up by Te Aitanga a Mahaki and to this end Te Aitanga a Mahaki Claims Committee was formed. The present committee acknowledge a deep debt of gratitude to Nona Haronga, Kiki Smiler and Peter Gordon who gave much of their information and time in the pursuit of our claim.

The Crown Forestry Rental Trust provided financial resources and personnel to progress the claim to the stage where we have had our case heard by the Tribunal in December of 2001, and, at present we are awaiting the presentation of their report.

Claimant groups of Turanganui have met with representatives of The Crown Forestry Rental Trust and the Office of Treaty Settlements, their main message being that the Crown would prefer to negotiate with large natural groupings. Ngai Tamanuhiri and Rongowhakaata groupings have progressed their claims to the Deed of Mandate and are prepared to negotiate with the Crown.

In our area the Claims Committee has met with other claimant groups, Te Whanau a Wi Pere, Te Whanau a Wi Haronga, Te Whanau a Kai and Ngariki to form a collective group called Te Pao o Haokai. These groups are to hold meetings, locally and nationally, to achieve a deed of mandate by 31st March, 2004. Te Aitanga a Mahaki will be holding a meeting on 29th November at Tapuihikitia Marae. Te Pao o Haokai will hold meetings around the North Island during February and in Christchurch in March. The group will send out panui when the dates have been confirmed.

At the Annual General meeting of Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust (Trust) it was confirmed that the Trust would be the organization responsible to take our claim to negotiation and settlement. Within the Trust the claims committee is the group working with Te Pao o Haokai to achieve a Deed of Mandate, the first step in the negotiation process.

Te Whakarau Lead Negotiator:

Willie Te Aho
willie.teaho@icsolutions.co.nz
021 768 462

Te Whakarau Registrations:

Charlie Pera               
tewhakarau@gmail.com            
027 570 9709

Te Aitanga a Mahaki:

John Ruru
ruru@ruruwillis.co.nz
027 446 6442

Charlie Pera
wipera@xtra.co.nz
027 570 9709

Hugh Lynn
hugh@hughlynn.com
021 038 9986

Te Whanau a Wi Pere:
Robyn Rauna
robyn@rrltd.co.nz
027 249 4166

Albert Horsfall
Fax: 06 867 6984
027 444 7493

Bill Ruru
mahakitrust@gmail.com
021 151 1530

Te Whanau a Rangiwhakataetaea:
John Kahukiwa
john.kahukiwa@corbellrevell.co.nz 
021 378 750

Tony Tapp
ngatimatepu@xtra.co.nz
06 867 2481

Nga Ariki Kaiputahi:

Owen Lloyd
owenlloyd.ngaarikikaiputahi@gmail.com 
027 429 7052

David Puia
puia2000@xtra.co.nz
027 209 0618

Te Whanau a Kai:

David Hawea
david.hawea@xtra.co.nz
027 449 4944

Keith Katipa
KEKTRUST@xtra.co.nz
027 712 0029