The Politics of Iwi Voice
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Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. THE POLITICS OF IWI VOICE A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Maori Studies at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand Selwyn Katene (Ngati Tama, Ngati Toa, Nga Ruahine, Te Atiawa) 2006 Abstract This doctorate thesis The Politics of Iwi Voice focuses on the struggle of a modern, urban iwi authority to secure political recognition from other iwi and the Crown as it attempts to assert an independent iwi voice, and exercise mana and tino rangatiratanga. The responses of the local iwilMaori community, the Crown, and others to the re-emergence of the new iwi entity are critically examined. The thesis demonstrates how a small iwi group resists attempts to assimilate into a broader coalition of iwi, hapu, whanau and marae interests, preferring instead to maintain and develop its own distinctive identity. It uses the iwi Ngati Tama to exemplify the diaspora of an iwi, and shows how iwi identity and fortunes are buffeted by both iwi and urban contestations as well as changing political directions. The study suggests that a Ngati Tama future away from its homeland will depend primarily on the development of pragmatic adaptive and innovative strategies, and a fervent resolve to retain a distinctive identity, while participating in a dynamic and often oppressive environment. This thesis concludes that to maintain a distinctive iwi presence its members should have the right to decide who best represents them. An iwi is considered an appropriate vehicle to represent its members and manage its interests. In order to survive in a constantly changing environment, an iwi must be dynamic, flexible, relevant, and meet the needs of its membership. Further, its leadership should be focused on negotiating relationships in good faith - including third party interventions - and seeking pathways that will advance its interests into the future. Acknowledgements Ko Herewini Katene toku ingoa Ko Ngati Tama, ko Ngati Toa, ko Nga Ruahine, ko Te Atiawa nga iwi Tenei te tuku mihi atu ki a koutou katoa. I have received much support in the construction of this thesis. There are many whom I wish to acknowledge. While I cannot mention them all, I sincerely thank them for their frank, fearless and sometimes provocative views without which this work would have been far less robust. My supervisor Professor Mason Durie has made a profound contribution, which I readily acknowledge. His unstinting support and faith in my ability to complete this work, combined with insightful wisdom, made this thesis journey a humbling yet rewarding experience. I also acknowledge the professional support of Or Gillian Durham and Or Don Matheson. Important also were the highly valued contributions of my kaumatua and kuia including Te Puoho Katene, Bill Matenga, Peter White, Grace Rupapera, and Freda Williams. Thanks to the generosity (in time and thought) of those participants who made this thesis a reality. To my colleagues and friends Karewa Arthur, Helmut Modlik, Rama Durie, Theresa Solomon, David Williams, Tamati and Diane Tapara, Bill Simpson, Martha Gilbert, Maria Grace, Tama Coker, Greg White, Tarawara Weston and Hori Manuirirangi; a sincere thank you. Lastly, my heartfelt thanks go to my whanau for their collective support. To Bill (deceased) and Kahuwaero, Merania, Maraea (deceased), Kerehoma, Makea, Kayleen, Wiremu, Willis, Rahui, Ammon, Christian, Louise, Josiah, Michael, Evie, Terry, Ngahuia and Maraea, my appreciation and eternal love. No rei ra, e mihi ana, e tangi ana te ngakau ki te hunga na koutou i awhi mai. He mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa mo 0 koutou tautoko, 0 koutou poipoi mai ki ahau. Noho mai koutou i runga i te rangimarie. Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra tatou katoa. He kaupapa kotahi he ara whakamua A shared vision is a pathway forward. 11 List of Figures and Tables Figures Figure 1 ..1 Tribal Re-emergence 22 Figure 2.1 Ngati Tama's Tribal Boundaries at Poutama 85 Figure 2.2 Boundaries of Port Nicholson Block in Wellington 119 Figure 2.3 Main Kainga of Ngati Tama at 1840 in Te Tau Ihu 125 Figure 7.1 Stakeholder Inter-relationships and Interactions 405 Figure 7.2 Case Study I - Developing a Claim 410 Figure 7.3 Case Study 11 - Securing a Mandate 412 Figure 7.4 Case Study 111- Mana Whenua 415 Tables Table 1.1 Ten Largest Tribes in New Zealand 16 Table 1.2 Forces at Work 23 Table 1.3 Characteristics of Research Participants 37 Table 1.4 Treaty-based Structure 41 Table 3.1 Members of the Runanga 136 Table 5.1 The PNBC Mandate Team 270 Table 7.1 Summary of Case Study Themes 418 Table 7.2 Pre-1883 and Post-1883 Wakapuaka 441 Table 8.1 Themes and Issues 448 111 Table of Contents Abstract Acknowledgements ii List of Figures I Tables iii Table of Contents iv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 Background 1 Purposes of the Research 1 Research Question 4 Three Case Studies 5 -Theoretical Context 8 =- Methodology 34 Relevant Literature 41 Thesis Structure 73 CHAPTER TWO: THE PEOPLE OF NGATI TAMA 76 Introduction 76 Tribal leadership 77 Ngati T ama ki T aranaki 79 Ngati Tama ki te Whanganui-a-Tara 110 Ngati Tama ki te Tau Ihu 122 Summary 132 CHAPTER THREE: MANAGING IWI RELATIONSHIPS 133 Introduction 133 Part One: Political Relationships 134 Part Two: Commercial Relationships 175 Summary 211 CHAPTER FOUR: CASE STUDY I: DEVELOPING A CLAIM 213 Introduction 213 Waitangi Tribunal Claims for Wellington 215 Crown's Role 222 Post-Waitangi Tribunal Hearing 226 The Waitangi Tribunal Report 234 The PNBC Interim Working Party 242 Summary 265 CHAPTER FIVE: CASE STUDY 11: SECURING A MANDATE 267 Introduction 267 Selecting the Mandate Team 268 Deed of Mandate 283 Terms of Negotiation 319 Summary 325 IV CHAPTER SIX: CASE STUDY Ill: MANA WHANAU 327 Introduction 327 Ngati Tama Whanau 328 Land Alienation 337 The 1883 Native Land Court Hearing 340 Wills and Petitions 348 The 1934-1936 Maori Land Court Hearing 360 The 1937 Maori Appellate Court Hearing 366 Partitions 369 Contemporary Situation 371 Summary 374 CHAPTER SEVEN: AN IWI VOICE 375 Introduction 376 Treaty Framework 377 Theoretical Framework 380 A Modern Urban Setting 393 Mandating 395 Relationships 405 Case Study Relationships With the Crown 409 By iwi, for iwi 418 Cornerstone for a Whanau's Identity 440 What Makes for Good Iwi Leadership 442 Summary 445 CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUSIONS 447 Introduction 447 Tino Rangatiratanga 449 Iwi Dynamics 451 Mandating 453 Third-Party Intrusions 455 Relationships 456 Wider Implications of the Research 461 Summary 465 Moteatea 466 REFERENCES 469 GLOSSARY 481 APPENDIX I: Information Sheet 483 APPENDIX 11: Consent Form 485 APPENDIX Ill: Interview Schedule 486 Questionnaire 487 v CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND This introductory chapter sets the scene for what is to follow. A background section briefly outlines the context in which the thesis topic was chosen. The thesis purpose and the research question follow, and then the theoretical context utilised is then discussed. The methodology adopted in this research provides the analytical framework and, lastly, there is an overview of relevant literature. This study is about the development of a modern urban iwi and its impact on the local Maori community and wider society - including the Crown - as it attempts to assert an independent iwi voice, and exercise mana and tino rangatiratanga. It is also about how tribes in this situation organise themselves, relate to other relevant groups, manage resources, and improve the overall wellbeing of the group and its members. PURPOSES OF THE RESEARCH The main purpose of this research is to examine the development of tribal identity and the tribe's interaction with the Crown and other iwi and Maori groups, and the Crown's (and others') response to a new iwi authority. More 1 than summarising the history of relationships between the Crown (and others) and the iwi, this research considered events that shaped the attitudes and achievements of the various groups and individuals. The study explores those political dynamics from the perspective of an iwi asserting its voice and autonomy. There is a focus on the concerns, attitudes, aspirations and barriers confronting an iwi authority as it asserts its voice, and an exploration of how those matters have been resolved. An important part of the research is formed by issues such as the role of conventional tribal structures and other Maori institutions in a contemporary setting, including leadership styles and personalities involved. While the tension between an iwi and other Maori group interests is examined, the specific intention of the study is to identify the lessons to be learned from iwi, Maori and the Crown inter-relationships, and the subsequent implications for policie~ and programmes aimed at promoting tribal development. A group of people based in Wellington of Ngati T ama descent had been committed to the resurgence of iwitanga and as a result were keen to learn more about their tribal identity and their origins, as well as to promote a Ngati Tama polity. Tensions arose as the Ngati Tama descendants asserted their own autonomy in preference to a collective Taranaki voice, and over the voices of other non-Taranaki originating tribes, such as Ngati Toa. The experience of Ngati Tama ki te Upoko 0 te Ika Incorporated Society, is used as an example throughout the study. As a relatively small iwi, and one, which 2 was only re-unified in 2002, the society struggled to come to terms with other iwi and Maori groups in the Wellington region, and to assert a measure of autonomy and control over its own affairs.