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Some Taranaki descendants
have fallen into dissent over the negotiations of their Treaty claims.
They are concerned
that the value of their assets may diminish in the future.
We will now cross live to Jasmyn Pearson in Wellington.
I'm outside the boat house in Wellington.
$7m of iwi funds were given to erect this building.
It was to be a tribute to the tribes of Wellington,
but it's been the subject of conflict since the beginning.
Now, the iwi have requested that an inquest be made on the board.
This is the great harbour of Tara - but who has the authority?
The problem we have - is that the Trust isn't listening to us.
This is one of the issues that this descendent of Taranaki has
with the management of his tribe's Treaty assets.
All we want is for them to listen to us.
Come and have this discussion on a marae,
not in hotel conference rooms.
In 2009, the Port Nicholson Trust received about $25m
in settlement funds and some marae aren't happy.
We have no marae representatives on the trust.
As an example,
some of the settlement money was utilised to construct this building.
The building was to be a primary meeting place
for the tribe outside of their region, but now...
We tried taking our grievances to the Waka building,
but the doors were locked.
They locked us out and we were embarrassed.
It seems he's right because the doors are locked,
leaving other Taranaki members locked out as well.
Is this an indication of what's happening?
It’s a sign, it definitely is.
Why?
Because in my opinion,
it was a waste for us to attend the opening of this building
if the doors remain locked to us.
If this is an example of what to expect,
then they have a lot to overcome.
Two years have passed and the time is ripe for a review on the board.
It comes after the people of Waiwhetu and the wider community
of Taranaki made a request.
They will meet on Monday to discuss the issue.
Thank you Jasmyn Pearson reporting live from Wellington.