chose. This included the leasing and selling of land to settlers. As stated above, the Government’s role was to ensure that this transfer of ownership occurred fairly and effectually. Again, the inquiry must be as to how the Crown performed this role. The Crown’s answer to that will be that, based on the evidence, it did so reasonably, in good faith and (accordingly) in accordance with the principles of the Treaty.

CROWN EVIDENCE

41.       The Crown will call two witnesses: Dr John Battersby and Mr Robert Hayes.

Battersby evidence

42.       The evidence of Dr John Battersby, “Government, Commerce and Conflict in Tauranga”, provides a context for the interaction of the Crown and Tauranga Maori throughout the period under inquiry. The evidence relates to events stretching from the Ongare incident of 1842, to the conflict of 1864 and through to the economic situation of Tauranga Maori in the 1870s.

43.       Chapters One, Two and Three relate to pre-1864 matters. Chapter One concerns Government involvement in Tauranga in 1842 and 1843 and principally relates to the Government’s response to Taraia’s attack on Ongare pa and the events that arose from the taking of Farrow’s boat. From these early times Dr Battersby says that Tauranga Maori not only welcomed, but desired the location of Government officials in their regions as arbitrators of disputes.

44.       Chapter Two provides information as to the economic position of Tauranga Maori in 1840-1860 from the available sources.

45.       Chapter Three provides further information on the role of Government in Tauranga primarily during the 1850s and early 1860s. By the early 1860s there is an established Government presence in the Tauranga