Iti and Tuhoe to make Waitangi mark

Fairfax Media

STRONG PRESENCE: Maori activist Tame Iti is expected to lead Tuhoe people on to the historic Treaty Grounds at Waitangi next week.

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Waitangi  organisers expect controversial Maori leader Tame Iti to lead a strong delegation of his Tuhoe people on to the historic Treaty Grounds at Waitangi next week.

They do not, however, expect him to breach bail conditions by speaking about the controversial dawn raids resulting in his arrest at Ruatoki last October.

Pita Paraone, chairman of the Waitangi Day organising committee and Waitangi National Trust Board member, said yesterday he expected Iti, facing charges under the Arms Act along with 15 other defendants, to be in full voice at Waitangi.

"It would not surprise me to see Tame speaking at Waitangi," Mr Paraone said.

Iti's lawyer Annette Sykes also expects her client to speak at Waitangi.

Meanwhile, Maori academic David Rankin yesterday announced plans to have the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi, including the historic Treaty House, returned to his Matarahurahu subtribe.

He said the sale by his ancestors Hone Heke and Tuhirangi of the 97 hectares (240 acres) of land on which the Treaty Grounds and house now sit was never investigated.

Auckland University of Technology history professor Paul Moon said the chances of his proposed claim succeeding were slim.

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