Mountain peak still clouded

A date for the ceremonial handover of Aoraki/Mt Cook to the people of New Zealand remains shrouded in uncertainty.

As part of the 1997 treaty settlement offer, the Crown offered to vest the title of New Zealand's highest mountain in Ngai Tahu, which would then gift it back to the people of New Zealand.

In 2006 Ngai Tahu kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon expressed the hope the ceremonial handover could happen as soon as 2007.

However, in 2007 it was claimed the runanga of Waihao, Arowhenua and Moeraki – the kaitiaki (guardians) – did not believe the handover should happen until 92 breaches of the Treaty of Waitagi were acknowledged.

Ngai Tahu declined to comment on the matter when approached by The Timaru Herald, and the paper was unable to contact representatives of the three runanga reported to want acknowledgement of the breaches.

A spokesperson for Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson, who handles Ngai Tahu treaty issues, said the Government would gladly proceed with the handover of Aoraki/Mt Cook at whatever time Ngai Tahu wished to initiate the process.

The 1998 Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act included a $170 million compensation package, and set about redressing the Crown's failure to meet its end of the bargain in land sales that took place from the 1840s.

"The Crown acknowledges that it acted unconscionably and in repeated breach of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in its dealings with Ngai Tahu," then-prime minister Jenny Shipley read aloud on Onuku Marae at Banks Peninsula in 1998.

"The Crown expresses its profound regret and apologises unreservedly for the suffering and hardship caused to Ngai Tahu and for the harmful effects that resulted to the welfare, economy and the development of Ngai Tahu as a tribe."

- © Fairfax NZ News