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An issue has arisen between Ngati Wai and Ngati Manuhiri.
According to Ngati Wai,
they have authority over Little Barrier Island,
so Ngati Manuhiri must exclude the island from their Treaty claims
and any other dealings with the Crown.
Ngati Manuhiri are clear about their interests in Little Barrier Island.
The Maori Select Committee met today in Whangateau,
to hear submissions on the Ngati Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill.
The inclusion of Little Barrier is the main issue being heard.
We want Little Barrier taken out of Ngati Manuhiri's claim.
Also for them to wait until we, Ngati Wai, put our claim in as well,
we should do it as one.
This map shows the area which Ngati Manuhiri has interests in.
under their agreement with the Crown,
they will receive 1.2 hectares of land on the island
to build a marae and the rest they will sell back to the Crown.
But Ngati Wai say that although Ngati Manuhiri
are calling themselves the guardians of the Island,
Ngati Wai has rights as well.
We have a strong ancestral and tribal link to that island.
The Select Committee
will make a recommendation to Parliament on the way forward.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.