My name is Heather Bassett. I have a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, majoring in history, from Waikato University. From 1993 to 1995 I worked as a researcher for the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, during which time I co-authored the Maori Land Legislation Manual. I was a staff member at the Waitangi Tribunal from June 1995 to October 1996, and have written research reports on the Otawa No 2 blocks (Wai 210) and the urbanisation of Maungatapu and Hairini (Wai 342 and Wai 370). I am currently based in Auckland and working as a commissioned researcher.
All opinions contained in this report are my own, unless otherwise stated. This report is a historical narrative, largely compiled from written sources. Although traditional evidence is cited, the report does not claim to speak for Maori. It is anticipated that the evidence produced in this report will be supplemented at Waitangi Tribunal hearings by submissions from those Maori affected by the events herein described.
The Claim (see Appendix One)
The Wai 47 statement of claim was lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal in February 1990. The claim was made on behalf of Ngati Pukenga, Ngaiterangi and Ngati Ranginui by William Ohia, who was then the chair of the Tauranga Moana Maori Trust Board. The claim lists several grievances relating to the whole of Tauranga Moana, including raupatu, compensation paid under the Tauranga Moana Trust Board Act 1981, Tauranga Harbour, and specific sites of significance.
This report has been produced as a result of a commission from the Waitangi Tribunal to research one aspect of the Wai 47 claim:
5. The failure of the Crown to provide for the control and management by the claimant iwi and hapu of reserve areas and wahi tapu of special significance to them, namely:
Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
Mangatawa Hill (Maunga Mana)
Pukewhanake
Otawhiwhi Reserve
Nga Kuri a Wharei
Huharua (Plummers Point)
Monmouth Redoubt
Mauao and Monmouth Redoubt are under research as part of commissions for other Tauranga claims (Wai 540 and Wai 580 respectively). This report covers Mangatawa Hill, and separate reports have also been completed under this research commission for Otawhiwhi, Pukewhanake, Huharua, and Nga Kuri a Wharei.
