fPcN interCultural:

friends of Peoples close to Nature

A 'rebellious' (fPcNs preferred term: 'dispossessed') New Zealand Maori tribe entered into negotiations with the government Thursday in a bid to gain autonomy over its land.

Ngai Tuhoe is the only Maori tribe that refused to sign the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which established peaceful relations between New Zealand's indigenous groups and white settlers.

Tuhoe still insists it retains sovereign control over its culture and its lands in central North Island, which it claims were confiscated illegally by settlers in the 1800s.

Several hundred members of the tribe, some adorned in traditional feather cloaks, went to the nation's Parliament on Thursday to sign an agreement to begin negotiations with the government.

Tuhoe negotiator Tamati Kruger hailed the signing as "a historic event."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said the government had failed the tribe in many ways over many generations.

"As the result of Crown action your people have at times suffered poverty, famine, and significant isolation," Cullen told the crowd gathered for the signing.

The tribe had suffered "the loss of much of their lands and considerable loss of life," he said.

The agreement is seen as a sign that relations between the government and the Tuhoe are finally improving.

Last October, authorities raided several Tuhoe properties, initially alleging they were investigating suspected terrorism activities, but the allegations were dropped after a nationwide outcry about the way the raids were conducted. However, 16 people were charged with firearms offenses and a trial is pending.

In another sign of warming relations, Tuhoe joined six other tribes in June to sign New Zealand's largest-ever settlement over grievances arising from 19th century loss of lands, forests and fisheries during European settlement of the country.

"It is a great day for Tuhoe," senior tribal member Tauiri Pouwhare said at Thursday's ceremony.

But he said Tuhoe want to be able to govern themselves on their tribal lands, a thorny question for the central government.

"They took the land away, we want the land back," Pouwhare told The Associated Press.

Kruger said the tribe hoped "to come up with a resolution to the claims ... that is fair and generous."

Tuhoe activist Tame Iti, one of the 16 people facing firearms charges, said autonomy was one of the key issues for discussion.

The Treaty of Waitangi created New Zealand under British sovereignty, and guaranteed that Maori could keep their lands, forests, fisheries and culture. Tuhoe refused to sign, and fought bloody battles with settlers for years.

By RAY LILLEY
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)
From: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYxIuahPoxcKho4qwx8HplyNL8eAD928K5Q00

Region

• Melanesia

Tribe

• Maori