8/13/2019 Wai 262 Flyer_3feb14

1/4

A Te Rarawa Primer on the

WAI 262 Flora and Fauna ClaimWhat is the WAI 262 claim about?

The basic aspiration of the claim has often been coined by the phraseMori control over things Mori. The claim essentially seeks to re

store tino rangatiratanga (Mori authority and selfdetermination) of

the whnau, hap and iwi of Aotearoa over our taonga (those things

and values which we treasure, both intangible and tangible).

How did the claim get started?

The WAI 262 claim began in the 1960s and 70s, when a group of Mori

rights activists challenged the Crown about some of the policies and

laws that were taking away Mori control over our taonga.

In October 1991, Saana Murray (Ngti Kuri), Del Wihongi (Te Rarawa),

John Hippolite (Ngti Kata), Tama Poata (TeWhanauoRuataupare),

and Witi McMath (Ngti Wai) with the assistance of lawyer Moana

Jackson (Ngti Kahungunu) lodged the WAI 262 Native Flora and FaunaClaim with the Waitangi Tribunal.

Te Rarawa WAI 262 Taumata Contact: Rachel Witana, rachelwitana@gmail.com

8/13/2019 Wai 262 Flyer_3feb14

2/4

What taonga and issues does the claim cover?

The claim seeks the restoration of Mori control over, and effective

Crown recognition and protection of:

A range of indigenous bio diversity, plant and animal species suchas:

Harakeke (flax), pingao (also known as golden sand sedge)

and kiekie (or Freycinetia banksii of the screw pine family)

all traditionally used for weaving;

at least 9 varieties of kumara (sweet potato);

pohutukawa (also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree),

koromiko (of the hebe family), and puawananga (of the genusclematis, also known as flower of the skies);

manuka (or tea tree - now valued by the honey industry,

especially for its internationally-recognised medicinal proper-

ties);

tuatara (the Rhynchocephalia lizard);

kereru/ kukupa (wood pigeon) and kuaka (bar-tailed godwit);

pupu harakeke (flax snail);

Mtauranga Mori (traditional Mori knowledge) associated with

those plant and animal species and with Mori cultural values gen

erally, including:

language, science and technology, laws, history, systems of

property and value exchange, and rituals and ceremonies;

art and forms of expression such as weaving, carving, t moko,haka and whaikrerero;

Mori cultural values, such as whanaungatanga (kinship) and

kaitiakitanga (guardianship or stewardship), which help to

regulate the intimate relationships and responsibilities be-

tween whnau, hap and iwi and the natural world.

The claim also seeks effective Crown recognition of Mori tinorangatiratanga through (amongst other things) influence over the

decisions and actions of Ministers and Government Agencies, policy

and law making.

8/13/2019 Wai 262 Flyer_3feb14

3/4

Where is the WAI 262claimat now?

Aftertheclaim waslodgedin 1991, itwas amendedin 1993toinclude

international law matters such as the impact of international Trade

Agreements (like the Gatt:Trips Agreement), Intellectual Property

Rights(e.g. how Copyrights,Trademarks and Patents overtaongaaffect

Moricontrol over the same), and NewZealand compliance withinter

nationally-recognisedIndigenous Peoples Rights.

In 1997, the first Waitangi Tribunal hearing was held at Motuti, inthe

Far North. It took to 2003to hearalltheclaimant evidencearoundthe

motu, and it wasnt until 2011 that the Waitangi Tribunal finally re-leased its report, titledKoAotearoa Tnei (This isAotearoa or This

is NewZealand). Bythis time, Saana Murray of Ngti Kuri was the only

remainingclaimant alive. Sadly,Saana passed awaylater that same year.

With all the sixoriginal named iwi claimantsgone, itleft their respective

whnau, hap and iwi to decide how they wish the claim to be pro

gressed. Te Rarawa decided in 2012 to mandate Mereana Robinson,Rachel Witana,andMargaret Tito (sistersof original Te Rarawa claimant

Del Wihongi); Haami Piripi (Rnanga o Te Rarawa Chairperson) and

Catherine Davis(Rnanga oTe RarawaTrustee) asTeRarawarepresent

ativesfortheclaim.

Roma Marae, Ahipara, Release of the Wai 262 Report, Ko Aotearoa Tnei

8/13/2019 Wai 262 Flyer_3feb14

4/4

So what has the Wai 262 claim got to do with me?

Environmental health; responsible management of our fisheries, forests

and other natural resources; the quality of our freshwater lakes, riversand aquifers; oil and mineral extraction in our lands and oceans; genetic

modification of life forms all these issues and more AFFECT YOU, your

whnau and your community.

To ensure our tamariki mokopuna have an Aotearoa that they can thrive

in requires that we must protect what is important to us. By advocating

for a fair and comprehensive resolution of WAI 262 claim issues, we canachieve that for Mori and for all New Zealanders. So stay tuned on how

you can help to make it happen:

Te Rarawa Tiaki Taonga facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/240499669312666/?fref=ts

WAI 262 Claim information website:

http://wai262.weebly.com/index.html

Waitangi Tribunal website (contains links to downloadable copies of the

2011 WAI 262 report, report summaries and media statements):

http://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/waitangi-

tribunal/inquiries/generic-inquiries/flora-and-fauna

The Te Rarawa WAI 262 Taumata

acknowledges the support of Te Rnanga o

Te Rarawa for the production of this flier

Te Rarawa WAI 262 Taumata Contact: Rachel Witana, rachelwitana@gmail.com