by Apihaka Mack

The Waitangi Tribunal and Crown have granted the first ever West Coast of the North Island tuturu/true Ngatiawa–Independent Waitangi Tribunal hearing. Only those bought up as Ngātiawa and those whose wanau remained on the Kapiti Coast will give evidence over 10-12 June 2019 at Southward’s Car Museum, Otaihanga.

Anyone interested living on the Kapiti Coast may attend this hearing.

The tangata whenua giving evidence at this hearing are the bloodline mokopuna of Toitehuatahi, Reretawangawanga Karapu-Tamane, Witi Rangitaake Karapu-Tamane, Pirikawau Karapu, Kahutatara Tamati-Pukerangiora, Eruini Te Marau, Ripo Rahiri, Eruini Te Tupe o Tu, and Karena Tipuna and Tupuna; the Mullen-Thomas-Hughes wanau. Alongside, Hariata Tutere-McGrath wanau, Tamihana Te Karu & Eruini te Tupe o Tu bloodline wanau, and aunty Hui Lake wanau Ngarara Airport claimants. All tuturu/true Uenuku, Kahukura, Hinetua, Tuiti/Ōtaraua, Pukerangiora, and Puketapu Hapu collective of Ngātiawa.

The Mullen and aunty Hui Lake wanau are the largest in numbers on the Kapiti Coast, add our aunts, uncles and cousins — oh my!

All of the Mullen-Thomas-Hughes first cousins signed a document in 2002 approving the research, filing and permission to represent our wanau and mokopuna in the WAI 1018 claim.

Our local collective of hapu had our Ngātiawa Tribal title officially stripped of us 172 years ago by Governor Grey.

Our Ngati Awa Whakatane cousin Pouroto Ngaropo (pictured above, story) is the opening speaker for our hearing.