Two Auckland iwi that have been at loggerheads because of overlapping land claims have renewed their peace pact at Ōrākei marae today.
Joe Hawke, left, signs for Ngāti Whātua while Ngati Paoa lead negotiator, Hauauru Rawiri signs for Ngāti Paoa followed by other kaumatua and kuia. Photo: Supplied
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Paoa signed a kawenata, or sacred covenant, this morning where they agreed to work together to define their areas of interest in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).
Ngāti Paoa landed its waka taua (war canoe) at Okāhu Bay, the same site they landed at when the two iwi established a peace pact in the 1830s.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei sp;okesperson Ngarimu Blair said today was a renewal of past peace ceremonies.
"It showed us what's important around our love for eachother and how we can work together in Auckland to bring prosperity to our own people and also the people that have come to live on our tribal lands in central Auckland and wider Auckland."
He said both iwi always held out hope that together one day they might renew their peace pact and move forward together.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Paoa were in court because of the Crown's overlapping treaty claims policy and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will continue its High Court action.
"We have been engaged in modern warfare in recent years through the treaty cross-claims process," Mr Blair said.
"So today was really important just to go back to our old values that our ancestors practiced about bringing peace to eachother."
He said the Crown had pitted iwi against each other which meant Māori customs and tikanga weren't followed.
He said other districts in currently engaged in conflict in Tauranga, Waikato, and elsewhere, might follow suit.
"We can say to the Crown and other tribes, here's an example of how it can and should be done based on our tikanga.
But Mr Blair said today was about celebrating and reminding themselves of when they worked together in early Auckland - "housing and feeding the early settlers that arrived onto the shores of the Waitematā and Tāmaki river".
"It was great to see the smiles on the faces of our people and their people," said Mr Blair.
"We feel like there's a huge a weight lifted off all of our shoulders and we can move forward together more positively."
Ngāti Paoa's waka Te Kotuiti 2 arrives at Okahu Bay to sign a contract with Ngāti Whātua signaling peace. Photo: Supplied
