Pokere Paewai, Māori issues reporter RNZ
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/
5 Nov 2025

Crown apologises to Auckland, Hauraki iwi Ngāti Paoa for leaving them 'virtually landless'

^{Members of Ngāti Pāoa outside Parliament after the iwi's Treaty Settlement passed its third reading. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai}

The Crown has apologised to Auckland and Hauraki iwi Ngāti Paoa for its actions which led to the iwi becoming "virtually landless."

Around 500 iwi members travelled to Parliament to witness the third reading of the Ngāti Pāoa Claims Settlement Bill.

The rohe, or region, of Ngāti Pāoa extends through Hauraki and parts of the Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland and includes islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

For Rangitahi Pompey, it's the end of a long road, as her father was one of the many people who carried the baton for Ngāti Pāoa through the long years to settle their historical grievances with the Crown.

"I often speak of him and talk of how he ate, drunk, slept and died, Ngāti Pāoa. Everything about him was for the people and that was at the calling of his father to come home."

It was just over 40 years ago, in March 1985, that Ngāti Pāoa leader Hariata Gordon lodged the tenth claim to the Waitangi Tribunal - Wai 10, the Waiheke Island Claim. That claim was heard and reported on by the Tribunal in 1987.

^{Many are carrying photographs of relatives who have passed away over the long years of negotiation between the iwi and the Crown. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai}

Many of the Ngāti Pāoa claims were lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal and heard during the Hauraki Inquiry in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Pompey told RNZ it's been a long journey and although the settlement has passed, it's not over for the iwi.

"So even though we are where we are, we have still got things to do. We still have things to achieve and today, I guess we step into a new space where we can start to realise those dreams. Realise and bring to fruition the dreams of many people."

It will be the mokopuna, the children and grandchildren who will carry the iwi into the future, she said.

^{Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai}

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith said in the settlement the Crown acknowledged the effect of its actions including raupatu (confiscation), the impact of the Native Land Courts and Crown purchasing which left Ngāti Pāoa virtually landless.

"The crown also acknowledged it breached the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles when it invaded the Waikato, attacking Ngāti Pāoa and shelled the unfortified village of Pūkorokoro in 1863 causing the death of iwi members."

Goldsmith said no settlement can fully compensate Ngāti Pāoa for what they lost.

The settlement included $23.5 million in financial reddress, the opportunity to purchase seven commercial properties and the return of 12 cultural sites of significance including sites for a marae and papakāinga development in the suburb of Point England, he said.

^{Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii}

The settlement consolidates the Waiheke Station Trust into the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust so that all settlement assets are held by one organisation.

"This consolidation was strongly supported by iwi members during the ratification process" said Goldsmith

Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust chair Herearoha Skipper said this was a time to remember the Ngāti Pāoa leaders who, over decades, had sought justice from the Crown.

"In particular, we acknowledge the work of the Ngāti Pāoa Negotiators, Morehu Wilson and Hauauru Rawiri. Sadly, Morehu passed in 2022, and it is with aroha that we have his whānau join us on this momentous occasion."

Skipper said there are other aspects of the Ngāti Pāoa settlement package that will need to be finalised.

"The Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Bill was introduced to Parliament in December 2022, but has not yet had a first reading. The Marutūāhu Iwi Collective Redress Deed needs to be signed by the Crown, on the basis of what was offered and without change. Without these, the Crown will not have fully delivered the Ngāti Paoa settlement package."

"The Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust is confident that these matters can be resolved before the next general election."