Patukeha

Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Road to Redress

Patukeha stands firm in our commitment to He Whakaputanga me Te Tiriti o Waitangi while working through the ongoing impacts of the Crown’s Treaty breaches. Our position has always been clear: Hapū Rangatiratanga, the authority of our hapū was never ceded, and our responsibilities to our people, our culture, and our places remain unchanged.

We are driven to secure a stronger future not just for our hapū but for all the communities of Īpīpiri. Our whanaungatanga with the wider Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Wai groups will remain strong and intact as we seek restoration and a better partnership with the Crown.

Here you will find a timeline of key events and FAQs designed to connect whānau to the history and ongoing mahi.

Key Events

December 2025

Patukeha, through Te Whakaaetanga, has formally signed the Terms of Negotiation with the Crown, marking an important moment in the ongoing journey of the hapū.

With this signing, the Crown has formally recognised Ngā Hapū Te Whakaaetanga as the mandated negotiating entity for Patukeha. It also confirms that negotiations will now proceed under an agreed framework, and that engagement has moved from a period of preparation into formal negotiations.

Negotiations will take place in stages and will involve structured engagement between Ngā Hapū Te Whakaaetanga and the Crown, in accordance with the agreed Terms of Negotiation.

As this new phase progresses, Patukeha will continue to keep whānau informed as key stages are reached, maintain engagement processes to support informed participation, and progress negotiations in alignment with Patukeha priorities, tikanga, and long-term aspirations.

This step represents a significant point in Patukeha’s journey. It is not the conclusion of the work, but a transition into a new phase, where the continued support of whānau will remain critical.

Te Whakaaetanga Announcement
Terms of Negotiation
July 2025

Crown Recognition of Patukeha Representation through Te Whakaaetanga

On 16 July 2025, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Hon Paul Goldsmith, formally recognised the Te Whakaaetanga Trust Deed of Mandate as fit to represent Patukeha and the other affiliated hapū in Treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown.

This official recognition confirms that Te Whakaaetanga has carried out a transparent and inclusive mandate process, has secured the support of its claimant community, and has robust systems in place to ensure accountability to Patukeha and other Te Whakaaetanga hapū.

The Crown’s endorsement acknowledges the leadership, unity, and sustained effort demonstrated by Patukeha and the Te Whakaaetanga whānau in advancing our collective aspirations. It also affirms our right to negotiate a comprehensive and enduring settlement of our historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims.

For Patukeha, this milestone marks a significant step forward - our mandate to engage directly in Treaty negotiations has been confirmed, and our journey toward achieving justice, redress, and long-term wellbeing for our people continues.

Resources

Crown Recognition of Te Whakaaetanga Mandate
March 2024
Patukeha seeks a mandate via Te Whakaaetanga to enter into Treaty negotiations with the Crown

The 4 hapū of Te Whakaaetanga each pursued a mandate from its people in accordance with their own tikanga. Patukeha opted to run a series of in-person and online information & voting hui, and kept the voting window open for three months to allow whānau as much time to cast an informed vote. Electionz was employed to manage the voting process to ensure a robust and secure process.

Voting results confirmed that 95.4% of Patukeha voters supported the mandate and 4.6% of voters did not support it.

Shortly following the successful voting process, a Draft Deed of Mandate was put together and published online and the general public was invited to make submissions. 54 submissions were received in total. 39 were in support, 12 did not support, and 3 were neutral. Of the 12 that did not support, 2 were from whānau of Patukeha.

Patukeha and Te Whakaaetanga then spent significant time and effort engaging or attempting to engage submitters to work through the queries and concerns in their submissions. This engagement provided the basis for the final refinements to the Draft Deed of Mandate. A final copy was then furnished and was submitted together with a Mandate Report by Te Tari Whakatau to Minister Paul Goldsmith for formal recognition on 1 July 2025.

Resources

Te Whakaaetanga Mandate Strategy
Crown Endorsement of Mandate Strategy
Patukeha Endorsement of Mandate
January 2016
Patukeha pursues a hapū led settlement - Te Whakaaetanga begins

In 2014, despite the Crown’s recognition of the Tūhoronuku mandate, Patukeha chose to pursue a hapū-led, regional pathway. We convened a hui at Te Rāwhiti Marae, inviting Pēwhairangi hapū to explore forming a collective for direct negotiations with the Crown. Patukeha, Ngāti Kuta, and Ngāti Manu agreed to work together to advance each other’s Treaty settlement aspirations.

In 2018 and 2019, Patukeha, Ngāti Kuta, Ngāti Manu, and Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā signed an MOU, establishing what would become Te Whakaaetanga Alliance. During this period, the Crown was also seeking Ngāpuhi views on alternatives to the Tūhoronuku model. Patukeha met with Minister Andrew Little and put forward a clear proposal for a hapū-led regional approach.

By December 2019, Minister Little confirmed the withdrawal of Crown support for the Tūhoronuku mandate. In 2020, Te Whakaaetanga Alliance was recognised by the Minister as a Hapū Grouping capable of seeking a mandate from its people to enter Treaty settlement negotiations.

In 2023, Te Whakaaetanga Trust was established to carry this kaupapa under the direct authority and oversight of the hapū.

Resources

Te Whakaaetanga confirmed as a Large Natural Grouping
Te Whakaaetanga Trust Deed
May 2014
Patukeha opposes Tūhoronuku and single settlement models

On 14 February 2014, despite strong opposition, the Crown recognised the mandate of Tūhoronuku "to represent Ngāpuhi in direct negotiations with the Crown towards the comprehensive settlement of all Ngāpuhi historical Treaty of Waitangi claims" - which included the Patukeha claim WAI 1140. Patukeha ran a series of hapū hui to decide whether or not it would support the inclusion of its claim in the Tūhoronuku mandate. Believing that the position of Patukeha would be compromised under Tūhoronuku, the decision was made to withdraw. (See below for the key reasons for withdrawal).

Without any apparent way of withdrawing its claim, on 15 May 2014, Patukeha (along with some 70+ other Ngāpuhi hapū) applied to the Waitangi Tribunal for an Urgent Inquiry into the Crown's recognition of the Tūhoronuku mandate.

Here’s what Patukeha saw as the key problems with Tūhoronuku:

  • Ngāpuhi is too large and complex to be treated as a single negotiating unit, with over 120 autonomous hapū competing for fair representation. This structure risks diluting individual hapū voices and interests.
  • Regional settlements provide a better fit. Smaller, regionally-based groupings would allow for more meaningful engagement, clearer accountability, and stronger outcomes for hapū on the ground.
  • Evidence from other iwi supports a regional approach. Regionally structured settlements, such as those of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Whātua, have in some cases achieved greater total quantum than single-settlement models like those of Waikato-Tainui and Ngāi Tahu, when adjusted for population and circumstances.
  • Patukeha must have its own negotiators at the table to ensure its specific interests, rights, and responsibilities are fully upheld and not lost in a one-size-fits-all model.
  • Patukeha is entitled to receive redress directly for the Crown’s breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • The flow of benefits to hapū is limited under single settlement models. The Ngāpuhi Fisheries Settlement provides an example: while $67 million in assets were allocated to TRAION, the tangible outcomes for hapū have been next to zero.

Ultimately, the Waitangi Tribunal’s Urgent Inquiry into the Ngāpuhi mandate upheld the concerns raised by Patukeha and the many hapū who opposed the Tūhoronuku model. The Tribunal found that the Crown’s recognition of the mandate was flawed, that it failed to properly safeguard hapū rangatiratanga, and that it had breached the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Inquiry confirmed that hapū must have genuine authority over how their claims are advanced, that their voices cannot be overridden by a centralised structure, and that the Crown must work in good faith to rebuild a mandate process that reflects hapū autonomy.

Resources

Moka Puru Evidence
Shirley Hakaraia Evidence
Waitangi Tribunal Report Urgency Inquiry into Ngāpuhi Mandate
May 2013
Patukeha presents evidence of Crown Treaty breaches

Stage Two of the Te Paparahi o Te Raki Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry begins, with Patukeha presenting a body of evidence outlining the Crown’s breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This was done to place the truth on record, ensuring future generations understand the grievances and injustices their people endured. Patukeha, alongside Ngāti Kuta, were the first to present evidence in the Inquiry.

Key issues in the Wai 1140 claim include:

  • Loss of land, resources, and autonomy through Crown confiscation, purchasing practices, and legislative acts.
  • Failure to uphold tino rangatiratanga, particularly through undermining hapū leadership and governance structures.
  • Marginalisation of Patukeha in decision-making processes affecting their lands, taonga, and development.
  • The ongoing social, economic, and cultural impacts of these breaches on Patukeha people.

Resources

Patukeha Amended Statement of Claim
Moka Puru Evidence
Moses Witehira Evidence
Peti Ahitapu Evidence
Shirley Hakaraia Evidence
Waitangi Tribunal Stage 2 Report (Part 1 Vol 1)
Waitangi Tribunal Stage 2 Report (Part 1 Vol 2)
Waitangi Tribunal Stage 2 Report (Part 1 Vol 3)
May 2010
Waitangi Tribunal begins hearing evidence on WAI claims in the North

In 2009, the Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry of the North (Te Paparahi o Te Raki) began. Patukeha and Ngāti Kuta worked together to collect and lodge evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal on the ramifications of Crown breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Stage One of the Inquiry (2009–2011) focused on the matter of sovereignty and looked at Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the context of important events and documents leading up to its signing, in particular He Whakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni. The findings set the groundwork for Stage Two of the Inquiry, which focused on land alienation, warfare, and other post-Treaty grievances.

Patukeha and Ngāti Kuta actively supported Te Kotahitanga o Ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi to present a Ngāpuhi position to the Waitangi Tribunal that maintained that our tūpuna did not cede sovereignty at the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840.

On 14 November 2014, the Tribunal released its report on Stage One of the Inquiry.

Key Findings of the report:

  1. Ngāpuhi Did Not Cede Sovereignty:

The Tribunal found that the northern hapū and rangatira did not cede sovereignty to the Crown when they signed Te Tiriti. Instead, they agreed to a relationship where the Crown would have a role in governance, particularly over settlers, but Māori would retain authority over their own affairs (tino rangatiratanga). 2. He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (1835 Declaration):

Many of the northern chiefs who signed Te Tiriti had earlier signed He Whakaputanga, asserting Māori independence and collective authority. This remained central to their understanding of their rights and status in 1840. 3. Different Understandings of the Treaty:

The Tribunal emphasized that the Māori and English versions of the Treaty had different meanings. Māori understood the Treaty as a sacred covenant to work in partnership with the Crown, not to surrender their autonomy. 4. Crown Misrepresentation and Assumptions:

The Tribunal concluded that the Crown presented the Treaty in a way that misrepresented its intent and that Crown agents assumed British sovereignty had been gained when it had not.

Resources

The Report on Stage 1 of the Te Paparahi o Te Raki Inquiry: He Whakaputanga me Te Tiriti
February 2004
Patukeha lodges Treaty Claim with the Waitangi Tribunal - WAI 1140

On 9 February 2004, Kataraina Puru-Hemara lodged the Patukeha Statement of Claim with the Waitangi Tribunal for and on behalf of the whānau, and the hapū of Patukeha. The claim exposes the Crown’s breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the deep, enduring harm inflicted on Patukeha. It calls for the Crown to be held accountable and to deliver meaningful redress for the sustained injustice and damage caused by its violations.

For generations, Patukeha has experienced the deep impacts of Crown breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. These breaches have led to the loss of land, waterways, forests, and sacred places, along with the erosion of Patukeha's authority, identity, and leadership. The disconnection from land, the breakdown of social, cultural, and economic structures, and the pollution of important environmental areas have caused lasting harm to the wellbeing of the hapū and its people.

Through this claim, Patukeha is seeking meaningful redress: the return of land and resources where possible, fair compensation where not, and official recognition of their mana and history. Patukeha also seeks support for restoring their cultural heritage, protection of their environment, and a rightful voice in decisions affecting their rohe. This is about restoring balance, honouring the legacy of the tūpuna, and ensuring a strong and self-determined future for the generations to come.

Resources

Patukeha Statement of Claim

Frequently Asked Questions

This is the formal process through which Patukeha seeks redress from the Crown for historical breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including land loss, economic deprivation, and loss of authority over our lands, waters, and resources. The settlement aims to restore our economic base, cultural authority, and future prosperity.

Patukeha has completed the historical research phase, engaged with the Waitangi Tribunal, and is now entering direct negotiations with the Crown through the Te Whakaaetanga collective. We are preparing our negotiation strategy and identifying our redress priorities.

We have:

  • Participated in Waitangi Tribunal hearings (Stage 1 and Stage 2).
  • Established the Te Whakaaetanga Trust as the mandated negotiation body.
  • Completed historical research and economic loss assessments.
  • Built a clear vision and strategy to guide negotiations.
  • Begun engagement with Ministers and Crown officials.

A standard Treaty settlement can take 2–4 years from the start of formal negotiations to the final Deed of Settlement. Our goal is to complete negotiations within the next 24–36 months, depending on Crown responsiveness and complexity of redress negotiations.

The settlement is outcomes-focused, aiming to:

  • Restore economic independence and generate long-term income.
  • Regain control over our lands, waters, and natural resources.
  • Enable population return and housing on our whenua.
  • Support cultural revival and environmental restoration.

We are seeking a combination of:

  • Cultural redress (recognition of historical wrongs, return of sacred sites, co-governance arrangements).
  • Commercial and economic redress (land, fisheries, other assets)
  • Restoration mechanisms to create intergenerational prosperity.

Patukeha is negotiating as part of the Te Whakaaetanga collective, alongside Ngāti Kuta, Ngāti Manu, and Ngāti Torehina ki Matakā but with a strong emphasis on maintaining our own rangatiratanga and control over our redress. Each hapū has their own negotiators and will have their own direct benefits and governance structures.

Patukeha is represented by Te Rūnanga o Patukeha Trust and mandated negotiators within the Te Whakaaetanga Trust. The leadership includes strategic, research, and economic teams and Te Taumata Kaumātua to ensure all aspects are covered.

Benefits will include:

  • Housing opportunities on our land.
  • Jobs and income through tourism, aquaculture, and environmental ventures.
  • Cultural and educational programmes.
  • A strong economic base for future generations.

The final amount is subject to negotiation. While historical loss is in the billions, Crown settlements typically reflect a “financial and commercial redress quantum” worth 1-3% of that loss.

The Tribunal investigated our claims and issued findings that the Crown breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Although the Tribunal does not deliver settlements, its findings provide the legal and moral foundation for our negotiations.

Patukeha’ approach is guided by ahi kā - we are only claiming what is truly ours, where our fires have continuously burned. We respect whakapapa connections of others, but whakapapa alone does not give governance rights in our rohe nor does it give us rights to claim governance in other rohe.

Yes, land return is a major part of the settlement. This includes DOC lands, coastal sites, economic assets, and culturally significant places. Some land will come with conditions, while other parcels will return as freehold or reserve status under our governance.

No. The settlement does not cede sovereignty or mana motuhake.
 Patukeha’s position is that our sovereignty (rangatiratanga) was never ceded, as affirmed in He Whakaputanga (1835) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840). The settlement process is not about transferring sovereignty to the Crown, but about addressing historical grievances, returning resources, and restoring the capacity of Patukeha to exercise our inherent authority.

  • The Crown’s settlement framework is administrative and financial, not constitutional.
  • Patukeha enters negotiations as a sovereign hapū engaging with another sovereign entity (the Crown), consistent with the promises of Te Tiriti.
  • The settlement is a practical mechanism to restore economic, environmental, and cultural capability — it does not settle or diminish our constitutional status.

Whānau will be kept informed through hui, newsletters, email updates, and online platforms. Major decisions – including the final settlement package – will require the approval of registered Patukeha members through a formal ratification process.