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Tāmaki Urban Hui (media release)
In the lead up to Waitangi Week, Whangaroa Papa Hapū is calling on descendants of Whangaroa living in Tāmaki Makaurau (and surrounds) to have their say on a Te Tiriti draft mandate strategy at a special hui this Saturday (February 1).
In the second of several regional hui, the rōpū will present Ngā Takenga Mai, a document outlining more than a decade working with Whangaroa hapū and whānau on historical land claims submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal from 2011 to 2018.
Ngā Takenga Mai is a Te Tiriti draft mandate strategy, providing a chronological description of the whānau of Whangaroa’s journey from where they started, where they are now and their vision moving forward.
It also highlights 14 key areas for redress including land alienation, economic development, and Te Reo Māori.
Whangaroa Papa Hapū kaikōrero Bill Hori said addressing these issues, particularly in this current political climate, was vital to achieving fair and lasting outcomes for Whangaroa hapū and whānau.
He said the group was aware of how policies like the proposed Treaty Principles Bill would impact te iwi Māori, therefore communication and participation from all Whangaroa hapū and whānau was key to achieving a just and durable redress.
“We will hold the Crown to account for its breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi through Ngā Takenga Mai, our vision for Whangaroa that outlines the process for achieving redress for historical claims,” Hori said.
“Ngā Takenga Mai also provides a hapū led and driven governance model, meaning as we progress, hapū will need to appoint their own kaikōrero to ensure hapū rangatiratanga throughout the process.
“The Crown’s acknowledgment of Whangaroa hapū as virtually landless reflects a profound loss of whenua and a disconnection from our history, future, and the social and cultural fabric that sustains it.
“We therefore encourage everyone to participate in the kaupapa to share their views and to help shape their collective future.”
The road to redress
Hori acknowledged the work of Te Taumata o Tangitu and Whangaroa Papa Hapū, including those who had passed and the ongoing efforts of claimants advocating for Whangaroa hapū, whānau, and tūpuna.
In 2011, Whangaroa kaumātua led Whangaroa claimants onto Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae, commencing evidence on behalf of tangata whenua presenting to the Waitangi Tribunal.
Over the next seven years, 71 Wai claims were submitted and more than 200 presentations from Whangaroa were delivered.
In May 2024, Whangaroa Papa Hapū submitted a large hapū grouping proposal, which was later confirmed by the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations in September 2024.
Whangaroa Papa Hapū viewed He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as non-negotiable, as was the principle of tino rangatiratanga as expressed in Article 2 of Te Tiriti- meaning tino rangatiratanga over whenua, kāinga and taonga.
In that light, Hori said, the group would not accept a ‘take it or leave it’ offer, nor would it accept any directive where one partner (the Crown) made a unilateral decision for the other (tangata whenua).
“The actions of this Government certainly do not give us confidence that the Crown is going to go above or beyond settlements already completed, in fact quite the opposite,” Hori said.
“Sir James Henare’s famous quote, ‘We have come too far, not to go further’ resonates with the mahi we have done so far and the mahi yet to be done to achieve redress.
“However, that will be up to Whangaroa as to what our redress package/model will look like.”
The hui this Saturday (1 feb 2025) follows Whangaroa Papa Hapū’s first Ngā Takenga Mai hui held in Kāeo in December last year.
For any pātai or to receive a copy of Ngā Takenga Mai, whakapā mai/contact: kaiwhakahaere@whangaroapapahapu.org.nz
Ngā Takenga Mai Event details:
- Date: February 1, 2025
- Time: 10am – 1pm
- Location: Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre (Rooms 3 & 4), 58 Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington
Together, let us continue the journey toward justice, unity, and a brighter future for Whangaroa!
Tāmaki Urban Hui
- Whangaroa Papa Hapū – Tāmaki Urban Hui
- Saturday 1st February 2025 10am – 1pm
- Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre,
- 58 Waipuna Road, Auckland
Tēnā koutou e te whānau whānui o Whangaroa,
Whangaroa Papa Hapū invite our Tāmaki based whānau to come together for the first time since Covid. We look forward to presenting our Draft Strategy in relation to progressing our Waitangi Tribunal claims collectively. We also invite whānau to provide feedback on communications and representation.
Nau mai, haere mai
RSVP encouraged to assist with preparations.
Te Tiriti Principles Act Online Submission Workshop
- Are you thinking about writing a submission to Te Tiriti Principles Act?
- Would you like some āwhina with the process?
- Or do you have some suggestions that might help other whānau?
Frances Goulton will be facilitating a brief workshop intended to assist whānau send in submissions to the Select Committee.
Submissions close 7th January 2024.
By submitting now, you can continue to encourage and help others over the upcoming holiday whakawhanaungatanga season.
- Topic: Te Tiriti Principles Act Submissions Online Workshop
- Time: Dec 15, 2024 07:30 PM Auckland, Wellington
From Hīkoi to Hui
Whangaroa Papa Hapū calls on ngā uri o Whangaroa to provide feedback on Te Tiriti draft mandate at special hui this Saturday
Following the recent Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi, Whangaroa Papa Hapū is calling on descendants of Whangaroa to have their say on a Te Tiriti draft mandate at a special hui this Saturday (November 30).
Ngā Takenga Mai is the name of the draft mandate, which comes after more than a decade of Whangaroa Papa Hapū working with Whangaroa hapū and whānau to research and prepare historical land claims submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal between 2011 and 2018.
Whangaroa Papa Hapū kaikōrero Bill Hori said the mandate and hui represented a significant step toward addressing longstanding Treaty claims affecting the whenua and people of Whangaroa.
He said it also marked a pivotal moment in their pursuit of establishing a formal mandate to engage in Treaty claims negotiations with the Crown.
“Whangaroa Papa Hapū has been working tirelessly since 2003 to support the Whangaroa land claims through the Te Paparahi o Te Raki District Inquiry process,” Hori said.
“The goal of the group has always been to achieve redress and to establish a new relationship with the Crown, honouring He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“After years of wānanga, research, hui, evidence, hearings and reports, this remains the overall goal.
“The next phase of our journey is to seek a mandate from hapū, with hapū, for negotiations with the Crown, so we invite our whānaunga to join this journey as we shape a path forward together.”
In 2011, Whangaroa kaumātua led Whangaroa claimants onto Waitangi’s Te Tii Marae, commencing evidence on behalf of tangata whenua presenting to the Waitangi Tribunal.
In May 2024, Whangaroa Papa Hapū submitted a large hapū grouping proposal, which was confirmed by the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations in September this year.
Whangaroa Papa Hapū chair Anaru Kira said through Ngā Takenga Mai, the rōpū intended to continue engaging with hapū on views of satisfactory redress to compensate for historical claims of Whangaroa.
He said it was therefore essential that as many hapū and whānau as possible provide their input on the draft mandate.
“Whangaroa Papa Hapū aims to work together to create a foundation for the future, ensuring a stronger legacy for our tamariki and mokopuna,” Kira said.
“We are calling on all descendants of Whangaroa to come to these hui so that we can hear from all of our people.”
The upcoming Ngā Takenga Mai hui is the first of several to be held both in Whangaroa and in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
For any pātai or to receive a copy of Ngā Takenga Mai, whakapā mai/contact: kaiwhakahaere@
Together, let us continue the journey toward justice, unity, and a brighter future for Whangaroa!
- Date: November 30, 2024
- Time: 3pm – 5pm
- Location: Kaeo Rugby Club, Waikoura Domain, Kaeo.

Ngā Takenga Mai – Whangaroa Hui to Talk Te Tiriti Mandate
From this moment captured in 2011, when our kaumātua led Whangaroa claimants onto Te Tii Marae, Waitangi, there has been no greater goal other than to negotiate a fair and just settlement with the Crown.
After years of wānanga, research, hui, evidence, Hearings and reports – this still remains the overall goal!
Would you like to receive a copy of Ngā Takenga Mai prior to the planned Hui on 30th November?
Please send an email request to kaiwhakahaere@whangaroapapahapu.org.nz now.
Whangaroa Regional Hapū Hui
E te whānau o Whangaroa, tēnā koutou,
- What: Whangaroa Regional Hapū Hui
- When: Saturday 30th November 2024
- Time: 3pm – 5pm
- Where: Kāeo Rugby Sports Club
- Purpose: Ngā Takenga Mai – a Draft mandate strategy for Whangaroa
- Hard copies of Ngā Takenga Mai will be available at the Hui.
- Links to join online (limited capacity) will be available via email on request.
- Please indicate attendance for Catering, by return email kaiwhakahaere@
whangaroapapahapu.org.nz
Te Kotahitanga o ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi hui
It was a pleasure to reconnect with other Wai1040 claimants and hapū recently, at Whitiora Marae in Te Tii, during the bi-monthly Te Kotahitanga o ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi hui.
Following brief presentations by Herb Rihari on Ahikaatanga, and Season-Mary Downes on the Stage 2 Report recommendations regarding the Old Land Claims, Minister Goldsmith and a small party from Te Arawhiti were welcomed onto the marae. Kaikōrero from the rohe taiwhenua, as well as other hapū, were afforded time to deliver messages in person.
Whangaroa kaikōrero Bill Hori was first up, and hands-down, delivered a passionate, direct, confident, challenging and yet unchallenged kōrero on our behalf. Bill also thanked Minister Goldsmith, for recently confirming Whangaroa Papa Hapū as the entity to facilitate hapū hui and the development of the next steps towards redress, a task that the WPH remain focussed on for the future of Whangaroa uri.
Anyone wanting copies of the presentations shown, please email kaiwhakahaere@whangaroapapahapu.org.nz

Some Whangaroa whānau, visiting for School Holidays, attended to hear the kōrero

Some of the Whangaroa claimants who were present

Whangaroa Regional Hapū Hui
E te whānau o Whangaroa, tēnā koutou,
- What: Whangaroa Regional Hapū Hui
- When: Saturday 30th November 2024
- Time: 3pm – 5pm
- Where: Kāeo Rugby Sports Club
- Purpose: Ngā Takenga Mai – a Draft mandate strategy for Whangaroa
- Hard copies of Ngā Takenga Mai will be available at the Hui.
- Links to join online (limited capacity) will be available via email on request.
- Please indicate attendance for Catering, by return email kaiwhakahaere@
whangaroapapahapu.org.nz
Hui Taiwhenua
Whangaroa Papa Hapū would like to advise that the two upcoming Taiwhenua Hui have been postponed – new dates to be announced in due course…
Rangatira Taiohi
Whangaroa Papa Hapū would like to acknowledge and congratulate Engie Matene (Ngāpuhi, Kuki Airani) for the award she received recently at the Matahiko awards (matihiko.nz/whakamanawa-awards). These awards recognise Māori excellence in the digital and tech industries.
Engie was the winner of the ‘he tipu’ award which recognises ‘an emergent leader or someone new to the industry (5-7 years)’. Whangaroa Papa Hapū was proud to nominate Engie as a candidate, and while we were happy that she was the recipient of the top award, we were not at all surprised!!
Engie has been a true blessing to Whangaroa Papa Hapū. She has been instrumental in assisting Papa Hapū as we work towards an online registration process for descendants of Whangaroa and the establishment of a communications database, to help keep people connected. This work is vital so as we can share information around a proposed mandate strategy that will enable Whangaroa as a collective, to move forward towards the negotiations phase of the Waitangi Tribunal process.
We appreciate Engie’s warm heart, helpful nature, and digital expertise and would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for everything Engie does for us and the community of Whangaroa.
Nā reira Engie, tēnā, whiwhi mai o mātou kupu whakamihi maioha māu i tēnei wā mō tēnei tohu whakahirahira. Kei runga noa atu koe! Tēnā koe!
He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata (goodwill towards others is a precious treasure)

Toitū te Taiao
Toitū te Taiao
Toitū Te Tai Tokerau
Kua hui tahi ai tātou ki te whakamānawa i te reo o te taiao,
Mai te rangi ki te whenua, atu i te whenua ki te rangi
Tihei mauri ora
“Learning is about child in pursuit of knowledge, not knowledge in pursuit of the child.”
These words were echoed by Jo Harawira (Ngàti Awa) as he guided a program packed with speakers with knowledge from lived experiences of ngāhere collapse and recovery, including Tohe Ashby (Ngāti Hine), Dean Baigent Mercer (Forest & Bird) and Mike Smith (Te Tahawai).
Whangaroa were honoured to welcome over 100 whānau and hapū kaitiaki taiao from throughout Tai Tokerau onto Otangaroa Marae, Mangawhero (23rd-26th July) for an informative and engaging four day wānanga.
Whangaroa Kaitiaki Projects
Whangaroa shined, as site visits to several local projects were a highlight. One group helped to plant Tōtara after voyaging to Kowhairoa and being hosted by Kaitangata; another group planted Kōrari on the Matauri Bay wetlands, while being hosted by Nairi’s Nursery and Ngāti Kura.
Another group travelled to Puketītī where they enjoyed stories of people who once ventured there, as told by Mita Harris while being guided along the Mokau Ridge; others heard stories of deforestation at Te Mama, in Totara North, before climbing Ohākiri to view and hear kōrero about our harbour. Yet another group visited a privately owned land block in Otangaroa being restored after 25+ years of pest management and control.
Rare taonga species, stoat-trained dogs, rongoā workshops, virtual reality camera’s, paraikete stitching, He Wakaputanga history and climate change were all included in the discussions of the wānanga.
Of interest to many, were the experiences of Ora Barlow and Wiremu Wharepapa, who came from Te Whanau Apanui, on the East Cape. They shared the journey taken by their iwi, once realising their ngāhere was dying from the damage caused by deer that had been released decades ago into the once majestic Raukumara ngāhere. That journey led them to an application of Aerial 1080 in the spring of 2023.
The opportunity to network and share knowledge, listen to other’s experiences, learn a waiata together, create some collective priorities and start developing some future strategies were all elements of wānanga enjoyed.
Manaakitanga provided by Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa nō Taemaro was outstanding, and the contributions received from various whānau, as well as Moana Aotearoa Fisheries and Ngāti Rua, were much appreciated.
Special mention to the rangatahi from Te Kura o Hato Hohepa Te Kamura and Te Whare Kura o Pangaru who livened up our space with their youthful enthusiasm.
Many thanks to the sponsors Te Papa Atawhai, Save The Kiwi, Honeymoon Valley Land Care and Te Touwai Tiakina Kauri.



Whaea Ngawai introducing her team


Te Kura Tangata
The Whangaroa Papa Hapū have been developing a relationship with Te Kura Tangata, the Faculty of Arts, at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, since 2020.
This has included online meetings and noho marae, with staff and students visiting our rohe. These hui have been hosted by Te Patunga in 2022; Te Tapui in 2023; and Te Touwai, earlier this year, in 2024.
On Tuesday 4th June a contingent from Whangaroa Papa Hapū was welcomed to Waipapa Taumata Rau with a mihi whakatau inside their beautiful whare whakairo, Tāne-nui-ā-Rangi. The whenua on which Tāne-nui-ā-rangi stands is named after Waipapa, the landing place of canoes on the original coastline below the marae by Beach Rd. The name acknowledges Ngāti Whātua ki Orākei as tangata whenua of Waitematā.
After a lovely kai we moved to the Department of History across the road. Located in a fantastic new building, there are stunning views over the Waitematā out to Rangitoto. The main discussions were around strengthening and developing our relationship with the university, and future mutual benefits. These include research projects, academic resources, and student scholarships.
We plan to host another group from Te Kura Tangata in early November, and invite any Whangaroa whānau interested in attending.
A big thank you to Dr Aroha Harris (Associate Dean Mātauranga Māori), Ngarino Ellis (Associate Dean Mātauranga Māori), Te Kapua O’Connor (Pou Tikanga, Māori Studies), Dr Kiri West (Lecturer, Cultures, Languages and Linguistics), Tracey McIntosh (Professor of Indigenous Studies) and everybody else, who looked after us so well on the day. We look forward to maintaining these close ties in the years ahead.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōnā te ngāhere.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.

Whangaroa Papa Hapū members Bill Hori (Trustee), Pat Tauroa (Deputy Chair), Robyn Tauroa (Project Coordinator), Cinnamon Whitlock (Trustee) and Marama Pairama (Kaiwhakahaere, Te Touwai Tiakina Kauri), and Dr. Aroha Harris

Bill Hori, Pat Tauroa, and Prof. Tracey McIntosh

Tane-nui-ā-Rangi


Toitū te Ao Tokerau

Matariki at Puketi

Wharerā
Maungaemiemi te maunga
Te Awaroa te awa
Whangaroa te moana
Tēnā tātou kātoa.
He uri tātou o Tuhikura; he rangatira ia nō Whangaroa.
I Wharerā ia i ngā wā o mua.
Ko Wharerā tōna pā.
Tīhei mauri ora!
Recently, a small group of Tuhikura’s descendants gathered at Wharerā, a significant and traditional pā-kāinga in Whangaroa.
Our aim was to start removing the gorse that is threatening to (re)cover the pā site. We wanted to record our visit, and encourage whānau and hapū to re-commence discussions around a maintenance plan that will ensure the tohu i te whenua left by our tūpuna, will remain viewable and accessible to those who whakapapa to our tūpuna whaea, and her tamariki, in the future.
While there, we heard from James Robinson, a local archaeologist with decades of experience in Whangaroa and surrounding areas, who has a theory regarding musket trenches at Wharerā.
Click the link below, to view our visit to Wharerā, the kōrero of James, and some of the dreams and stories of this waahi tūpuna, as shared by Robyn Tauroa, John Rakena, Korey Atama and Seaton Smith. Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa.
https://vimeo.com/949727159/2704679344
Thanks Simon Ogston from Bellbird Pictures, for your videography.
Tiakina Kauri Info Day
Using VR Headsets to tell the story of whanaungatanga betwen the tohora/whale and Kauri, while also informing whānau about how the ngāngara/pathogen enters through the roots of the Kauri tree.
Our highlights from the day were:
- Having over 50 people attend, including aunties, uncles, cousins and mokopuna, and
- Being able to practice our advocating and information sharing skills in a safe whānau space.
Thanks to everyone who came and made our day a success, with a special thanks to Kylie Challis and Samantha Boyd for your āwhina.
Kauri ora whānau!





Saturday 6th April hui
On Saturday 6th April, we have two further Whangaroa hui to engage with all uri of our rohe and to introduce a framework 🏗️, provide a summary of what we’ve heard so far, and plan a strategy to negotiate our Whangaroa iwi Tiriti o Waitangi grievances with The Crown.
- 10am at Te Touwai Marae, then 2pm at Te Tapui Marae
Yes we’re a busy rohe Whangaroa!!
Meanei ko ngā hui ka tu ki Te Touwai me Te Tāpui hei te 6 o Āperira 🗓️ Hēnā, nau mai, haere mai!
p.s.

Te Kotahitanga o Ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi

Wai #45 Renewed Lands Hearings

Tiakina Kauri

Te Kotahitanga Hui

Whangaroa ki Tua Hui
- 10am Whakatau/Karakia
- 1015am Kaiparamanawa
- 1045am He Umu Tapu
- 1230pm Summary/Overview
- 1pm Lunch


