Evidence of Pitau Williams

21.         At the Tauranga Moana Raupatu Inquiry hearing of our Marutūāhu claims held in October 2001 at Ngahutoitoi Marae, our late cousin Pitau Williams gave evidence for our people. It is of great regret to our people that our whanaunga passed away in April 2005.

22.         I repeat extracts of his evidence that was so influential in achieving the recognition of the Marutūāhu in the Raupatu Report as seen above:

“8. The history of Marutūāhu and Ngati Tamaterā and our connection to Katikati is long and complex.

9.         In his evidence at the Arbitration hearing in 1866, my tupuna Te Moananui sets out in detail the traditional history of Marutūāhu in Katikati-Te Puna. As set out in his korero, Ngāti Tamaterā and Marutūāhu has exercised our mana whenua over our southern boundaries at Katikati for over 13 generations and several centuries. A summary of points from that korero and from the evidence of my koroua regarding the mana whenua and rangatiratanga of Ngāti Tamaterā and the Marutūāhu at Katikati include:

•           The twin sons of Tamatepo (Rauakiuta and Rauakitai) were born there.

The investigation of the various claims was commenced by Mr Clark and myself on the 29th June and lasted until 19th July. The result was as follows - viz:

1 [Discussions regarding Arawa]

...

2 ...[Discussion regarding Ngāti Haua]

The piece at Omokoroa and Purakaunui were reserved for them but this was however much against the wish of the Ngaiterangi, who would rather have seen them receive cash compensation.

...

3      The Ngātimaru made out a claim as first occupiers with the Ngaiterangi of lands in the neighbourhood of Tuapiro and Te Tahawai. They agreed to take five hundred and thirty pounds for their claims. They afterwards combined their interests with that of the Ngātitamatera tribe.

...

Burial ground reserves were made as follows at Pukewhakataratara 50 acres; Te Teira 5 acres; Te Paewai 5 acres; Takaihuihui 5 acres; Ngatukitukiahikawera 5 acres; and Tangitu 5 acres, - or 75 acres in all. The deed was signed by Taraia Ngakuti, Te Moananui Tanumeha, Wiremu Hopihana, Riwai Kiore, Hoterene Taipari, Wirope Hotereni Taipari, and 18 other principal men of the Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Tamaterā tribes.

...

The only objection raised was by some men of Ngāti Maru who had not been at the Tauranga meeting. It was because the summit of the Aroha Mountain was included in the Deed of Session, but on Taraia, and Te Moananui admitting that they had been included in the Katikati arbitration, and also that they had received the sums of £30 and £25 respectively as deposits on it, and my agreeing to pay £15 more than had been arranged at Tauranga, the opposition was withdrawn, and the disputants (Riwai and Morgan Hou) signed the deed. [Emphasis added]

While these comments are the personal opinion / advocacy of Mackay, and there are some things in the report that are not correct, his comments are illustrative of some pakeha views current at the time.