Ngāti Whakahemo
Claims Trust
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Tō tātou haerenga mō tēnei wā
Super quick and simple look at our claims journey (so far!)
1998 - 2008
Our Claims Begin
In 1998, Ngāti Whakahemo made the collective decision to pursue a Treaty claim to address long-standing grievances over our whenua, resources, and tino rangatiratanga. Formal claims for this whenua were lodged in 2008: WAI 1471 (Pukehina) and WAI 2536 (Pongakawa). Both claims are grounded in our whakapapa to Maruahaira and reflect our enduring connection to these lands.
2008 - 2013
The Crown Said Our Claims Were Settled
The Crown treated Ngāti Whakahemo as a hapū of Ngāti Pikiao, and said our claims were already settled under the Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapū Settlement Act 2008.
We challenged this because our claims are based on descent from Maruahaira — not Ngāti Pikiao.
2013 - 2014
Wharere Farm Becomes a Flashpoint
When Wharere Farm was put up for sale, Ngāti Whakahemo took urgent legal action to stop it. We applied to the Waitangi Tribunal and the High Court, asking for the Crown to recognise our unsettled claims and negotiate directly with us.
At a hui led by the Pukehina Marae Committee, the Ngāti Whakahemo Claims Committee was formed to guide our journey through the Treaty claims process. The confirmed members were Mita Ririnui, Hokohinu Horne, Maria Horne, Te Awhi o te Rangi Anderson-Manahi, Adrian Jaram, Kura Paul-Burke, and Jasmine Stoneley.
2014 - 2017
The Courts Backed Our Position
The Supreme Court ruled that the government had wrongly told Landcorp that our claims were settled. The Waitangi Tribunal also agreed: Wai 1471 and 2536 had not been settled.
2018 - 2021
We Gathered the Evidence
Ngāti Whakahemo worked hard to present historical and whakapapa evidence showing our distinct identity and customary interests in places like Pukehina, Waihi, Motunau, Maketu, Pongakawa, and Wharere.
2022
The Crown Agrees to Negotiate
In January 2022, a delegation from Te Arawhiti (formerly the Office of Treaty Settlements) visited Pukehina to discuss our claim and outline the pathway ahead. At this Hui-a-Iwi, our Claims Committee was reaffirmed to prepare for formal negotiations. Later that year, in November 2022, the Minister confirmed that the Crown would enter direct negotiations with Ngāti Whakahemo to settle our historical claims.
2023 - 2024
Now We Establish the Ngāti Whakahemo Claims Trust
With guidance from Te Arawhiti, Ngāti Whakahemo transitioned from a committee structure to establish the Ngāti Whakahemo Claims Trust to lead our settlement journey. The Trust was formed to represent all descendants of Maruahaira, to negotiate with the Crown, and to carry this kaupapa forward until a post-settlement governance entity is in place. The Trust will formally come into effect upon receiving a successful mandate from Ngāti Whakahemo.
Following the passing of Hokohinu Horne, Kerri Kerr was formally appointed to the team through a vote held at a Pukehina Marae Committee hui.
2025
Mandate Process
Ngāti Whakahemo is now in the active Mandate process to confirm the Ngāti Whakahemo Claims Trust as the official representative body to lead our iwi through the Treaty of Waitangi claims process. This is a vital step in ensuring our people are unified and represented with integrity in negotiations with the Crown. Whānau are encouraged to participate in one of the upcoming voting hui:
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Saturday, 3 May – Pukehina, 10am
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Tuesday, 6 May – Wellington (Rydges Airport), 6pm
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Wednesday, 7 May – Auckland (JetPark), 6pm
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Thursday, 15 May – Online voting hui
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Saturday, 17 May – Maketu, 10am
Where to from here...
Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote!
Ngāti Whakahemo – Your Vote is Your Voice
Now is the time to stand together as whānau, as hapū, and as iwi. Our mandate vote is more than a box to tick — it is a declaration that Ngāti Whakahemo is ready to lead its own journey, to speak with one voice, and to take control of our future.
If we don’t show strong support now, we risk being pushed to the back of the line. We’ve waited long enough — let’s not be made to wait any longer.
📬 Your voting pack has arrived — either by mail or email from ElectioNZ.com.
🖐🏽 Raise your hand, make your mark, and VOTE.
This is our moment to come together and show that Ngāti Whakahemo is united, determined, and prepared to take the next step in our settlement journey.
Vote today. Stand for our future.