Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu

The Crown and Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu signed a Deed of Settlement on 26 September 2025.

 

Deed of Settlement documents

File Date Size
Deed of Settlement Summary [PDF, 3.4 MB] 26 September 2025 714 KB
Deed of Settlement [PDF, 1.6 MB] 26 September 2025 272 KB
Deed of Settlement Schedule - General Matters [PDF, 334 KB] 26 September 2025 182 KB
Deed of Settlement Schedule - Property [PDF, 372 KB] 26 September 2025 219 KB
Deed of Settlement Schedule - Documents [PDF, 1.5 MB] 26 September 2025 1005 KB
Deed of Settlement Schedule - Attachments [PDF, 9.6 MB] 26 September 2025 5.8 MB

Supporting documents

File Date Size
Deed recording on-account arrangements [PDF, 3.1 MB] 8 Jun 2021 3.1 MB
Agreement in Principle Equivalent (Hauraki) [PDF, 4.5 MB] 22 Jul 2011 4.6 MB
Crown Recognition of Mandate [PDF, 108 KB] 29 Jun 2011 108 KB

 

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu Deed of Settlement summary

Overview

The Deed is the final settlement of all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu resulting from acts or omissions by the Crown prior to 21 September 1992, and is made up of a package that includes:

  • an agreed historical account, Crown acknowledgments and apology;
  • cultural redress; and
  • financial and commercial redress.

The benefits of the settlement will be available to all members of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu wherever they may live.

Background

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu is an iwi of approximately 510 members (according to 2023 Census figures).

The area of interest of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu centres around Te Aroha and extends south across the Kaimai range to Katikati and Te Puna, and north to the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

General background

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu is a member of the Pare Hauraki Collective and will receive collective redress as part of the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed.

On 27 June 2011, the Crown recognised the mandate of the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu negotiators to negotiate a comprehensive settlement of the historical Treaty claims of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu with the Crown. The mandated negotiators and the Crown entered into an agreement in principle equivalent on 22 July 2011.

On 13 July 2017, Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu and the Crown initialled a Deed of Settlement (the Deed). The Deed has been ratified and, following its signing on 26 September 2025, will be conditional on the enactment of settlement legislation. On settlement, the trustees of the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu Post Settlement Governance Entity, the Ngāti Tumutumu Trust, will manage the settlement assets.

The Office of Treaty Settlements (now Te Tari Whakatau), with the support of the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand and other government agencies, represented the Crown in day-to-day negotiations.

The Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, represented the Crown in high-level negotiations with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu.

Collective redress Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu is a member of the Pare Hauraki Collective and will receive collective redress through the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed.

Collective redress

The collective approach recognises that the iwi of Hauraki have various overlapping customary interests which cannot be considered separately from each other. Details about the collective redress can be found in the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed and the summary of that Deed.

Crown acknowledgements and apology

The Deed contains acknowledgements that the cumulative effect of Crown actions and omissions, including land acquisition, confiscation and the introduction of native land laws, alienated Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu from their ancestral lands. These actions had a negative impact on the traditional tribal structures of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, left Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu virtually landless and were a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Crown acknowledges that Crown action with respect to gold and other minerals deprived Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu of their rangatiratanga over land owned by Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu in the Hauraki region. The Crown also acknowledges that following acquisition of the Te Aroha springs, it did not provide for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu’s relationship with the site, a long-standing grievance for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu.

The Deed also includes a Crown apology to Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu for its actions which harmed Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu and for its breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.

The Crown prejudiced Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu by promoting laws and policies which led to the loss of their whenua, damaged the sacred taonga Te Aroha maunga and severely undermined the well-being and ability of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu to pass on mātauranga Māori to their mokopuna. The Crown unreservedly apologises for its breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.

Cultural Redress

The cultural redress package for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu intends to recognise the traditional, historical, cultural and spiritual associations of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu with places and sites owned by the Crown within their area of interest.

Sites vested in Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu

Seventeen sites of cultural significance will be vested in fee simple in Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu:

  • Waihou property (0.7 ha)
  • Te Mokena Hou property (54.2 ha) as a scenic reserve, with
  • Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) remaining the administering body;
  • Tumutumu property (35.3 ha) as a recreation reserve subject to an easement, with MPDC remaining the administering body;
  • Tui Park Domain property (86.2 ha) as a recreation reserve, with MPDC remaining the administering body;
  • Te Awe Reserve Whenua property (32.7 ha) as a local purpose reservesubject to an easement, with MPDC remaining the administering body;
  • Te Ruinga Whenua property (24.7 ha) subject to an easement, to be managed by Waikato Regional Council (WRC) under the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941;
  • Kahumaro Whenua property (55.6 ha) to be managed by WRC under the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941;
  • Waterford Road property (0.08 ha);
  • Windridge Land property (12 ha);
  • Tuapiro Creek property (0.9 ha) as a scenic reserve;
  • Paewai (2 ha) subject to a conservation covenant;
  • Takaihuehue (2 ha) subject to a conservation covenant;
  • Pukewhakataratara (19 ha) subject to a conservation covenant;
  • Wahine Rock (7.7 ha) subject to a conservation covenant;
  • Waiorongomai (3 ha);
  • Miro Street property (0.15 ha); and
  • Wairakau Whenua (2.8 ha) as a scenic reserve.
Sites jointly vested in Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu and other iwi
  • Tangitu (7.5 ha) will be jointly vested as undivided equal shares in Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Tamaterā subject to a conservation covenant and an easement; and
  • Ngā Tukituki a Hikawera (8.7 ha) will be jointly vested as undivided equal shares in Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Tamaterā.
Te Aroha domain

The Crown will transfer its reversionary interest in Te Aroha Domain to the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu post-settlement governance entity.

Overlay classification

An overlay classification acknowledges the traditional, cultural, spiritual and historical association of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu with certain sites of significance. The declaration of an area as an overlay classification provides for the Crown to acknowledge iwi values in relation to that area.

The settlement provides an overlay classification over part Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Area and part Maurihoro Scenic Reserve (4,700 ha approximately).

Statutory acknowledgements and deeds of recognition

A statutory acknowledgement recognises the association between Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu and a particular site or area and enhances the ability of the iwi to participate in specified resource management processes. A deed of recognition requires the Minister of Conservation to consult the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu governance entity and have regard to its views when undertaking certain activities within the area. The Crown offers a statutory acknowledgement and deed of recognition over part Wairakau Scenic Reserve.
Relationships
Relationship agreements and protocols

The Deed will provide for the Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage and the Minister for Primary Industries to issue protocols that set out how their respective agency will interact with and consult the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu governance entity when carrying out statutory duties and functions.

The Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu governance entity will enter into a conservation relationship agreement with the Department of Conservation that will outline how the Department of Conservation will engage with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu.

Cultural redress payment

The Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu governance entity received $400,000 on account for cultural revitalisation in 2021.
Financial and commercial redress

This redress recognises the losses suffered by Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu arising from breaches by the Crown of its Treaty obligations. The financial and commercial redress is aimed at providing Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu with resources to assist them to develop their economic and social well-being.

Financial redress

The total financial redress for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu is $5.5 million. This is made up of:

  • $1,434,732 to be received on settlement date;
  • $1,523,317 being the agreed portion of the transfer value of four early release commercial redress properties provided through the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed;
  • $264,951 being the agreed portion of the transfer value of four settlement date commercial redress properties provided through the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed;
  • $277,000 being the agreed transfer value of the commercial redress property (provided on-account in 2021);
  • $500,000 received on-account of the settlement in 2021; and
  • $1,500,000 to be paid on-account on the introduction of their settlement legislation
Commercial redress propeties

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will receive the right to purchase for six months after the settlement date the Treaty Settlements Landbank property at Bush Road, Ngatea.

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will receive the right to purchase for two years after the settlement date the Te Aroha College site (land only) subject to its lease-back to the Crown.

Collective redress

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will receive collective redress as part of the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed which includes collective cultural and commercial redress. The details of the redress can be found in the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed settlement summary.

Minerals

Ownership of any Crown-owned minerals in land transferred to Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu under the Deed will also transfer to Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu. This does not include nationalised minerals (petroleum, gold, silver and uranium) or affect other lawful rights to subsurface minerals.

Questions and answers

What is the total settlement package?

Crown acknowledgements and apology for historical breaches of theTreaty of Waitangi;

  • an agreed historical account;
  • cultural redress including the vesting of a number of sites in the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu area of interest and relationship redress;
  • financial redress of a total of $5.5 million; and
  • commercial redress involving the right to purchase Crown properties.

Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will receive cultural and commercial collective redress as part of the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed

Is there any private land involved?

No.

Are the public's rights affected?

No. Nothing will change for the public. Public access, recreational use, reserve status and existing third-party rights are maintained.

Will any place names change?

No.

What is an overlay classification?

An overlay classification acknowledges the traditional, cultural, spiritual and historical association of an iwi with certain sites of significance administered by the Department of Conservation.

An overlay classification status requires the Minister of Conservation and the settling group to develop and publicise a set of principles that will assist the Minister to avoid harming or diminishing values of the settling group with regard to that land. The New Zealand Conservation Authority and relevant Conservation Boards will also be required to have regard to the principles and consult with the settling group.

What is a statutory acknowledgement?

A statutory acknowledgement acknowledges areas or sites with which iwi have a special relationship, and will be recognised in any relevant proceedings under the Resource Management Act 1991. These provisions aim to avoid past problems where areas of significance to Māori, such as burial grounds, were simply cleared or excavated for public works or similar purposes without permission or consultation with iwi. A statutory acknowledgement does not convey a property right and is non-exclusive.

What happens to memorials on private titles?

The legislative restrictions (memorials) placed on the title of Crown properties and some former Crown properties now in private ownership will be removed once all Treaty claims in the area have been settled.

When will the settlement take effect?

The settlement will take effect following the enactment of the settlement legislation.

Does Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu have the right to come back and make further claims about the behaviour of the Crown in the 19th and 20th centuries?

No. When the Deed is signed and settlement legislation is passed it will be a final and comprehensive settlement of all historical (relating to events before 21 September 1992) Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu. The settlement legislation, once passed, will prevent the iwi relitigating the claim before the Waitangi Tribunal or the courts.

The settlement will still allow Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu to pursue claims against the Crown for acts or omissions after 21 September 1992 including claims based on the continued existence of aboriginal title of customary rights. The Crown also retains the right to dispute such claims or the existence of such title rights.

Who benefits from the settlement?

 All members of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu wherever they may live.