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The Waitangi Tribunal was set up an act of Parliament in order to investigate claims by Māori that they had been harmed by acts of the Crown, in relation to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi concerning land, fisheries and other possessions.
The Tribunal met in July 1982 at Waitara to hear a claim by the
Ngāti Rahiri people of Taranaki that their seafood-gathering reefs had been ruined by sewage and industrial waste.
A documentary by Piripi Walker entitled "Us on Shore" about the Te Āti Awa tribe of Taranaki who have been the guardians of the North Taranaki coastline, from New Plymouth to the White Cliffs. This stretch of sea is their pantry. It provides food for their hospitality. But for how much longer? The people say that the sea is dying and killing their way of life.
Two weeks ago, for the first time the Taranaki Māori people were allowed to speak for themselves and make recommendations to the Goverment via the Tribunal hearing, about the outfall from the Motunui Synthetic Petrol Plant.
Includes several excerpts of Ngāti Rāhiri, Te Āti Awa speakers at the Tribunal Hearing at Manukōrihi Marae.
Sally Karena speaking to the Waitangi Tribunal about the importance of kai moana, at Manukorihi Marae.
Piripi Walker explains how this hearing was different to a standard European court hearing. Sally Karena speaks in te reo Māori about the traditional use of kina.
The Ngāti Rāhiri sub-tribe say sewage outfall is endangering their fishing grounds and outfall from the Motunui synthetic petrol plant will cause further damage.
Dr Ben Gray of North Taranaki Environmental Protection Society explains the history of the outfalls and new pollution sources coming from the expanding petrochemical industry.
Aunty Ina Okeroa, who is 70, remembers when the tribe could live by the sea. She tells the tribunal about the differences today, saying the water is dirty and poisoned, and now they have to buy fish from the shop.
Joe Tukapua, a visitor to Taranaki, speaks at the hearing in te reo Māori, saying a karakia for the loss of the sea. His prayer is translated into English, and he then also speaks in English about the state of the ocean and invokes the protection given to Māori by the Treaty of Waitangi.
Piripi Walker explains the role of the Tribunal at the hearing. This is the first time Māori people have been able to speak as a tribe and present their case themselves - rather than having to go through a lawyer.
Sam Raumati of Taranaki says Māori are made to feel like thieves in their own land. An excerpt is heard of him criticising laws on the taking of paua and recalling rahui Māori as better protection of resources.
He says Māori from all over the country should be at this hearing as it is the first time they have been able to get a fair hearing.
Ngāti Rāhiri are asking for their coastline to be cleaned up. Sally Rakena ends the programme by telling the tribunal Māori are educated enough to handle their own affairs.
The programme is then followed by an interview by broadcaster Sharon Crosbie with Steve [Tipene] O'Regan, of Ngāi Tahu. He is a historian and lecturer from Wellington Teachers' College, and discusses the issue of fisheries and the Māori way of life.