About Te Tai
The purpose of Te Tai Whakaea is to collect, preserve and share the histories of Treaty of Waitangi settlements from across the country as a resource to educate and inform current and future generations.
Since its establishment in 2013, Te Tai Whakaea has been working with hapū and iwi, settlement groups, and other government organisations to record and tell the stories of Treaty of Waitangi settlements from the perspectives of those involved.
In addition to the recordings commissioned by Te Tai, iwi narratives of their Treaty settlement journeys (web stories and documentaries) are presented on Te Tai’s website, alongside stories about kaupapa claims, such as Te Mana o Te Reo Māori and essays on national themes relating across settlements.
Te tai whakaea, the uplifting tide
The name, Te Tai Whakaea (‘the uplifting tide’), was given by the late Piri Sciascia (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu, Itāria). It reflects the close connection tangata whenua have with the land and sea, and the ways Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements have created opportunities to acknowledge our history, redress historical injustices, and contemplate the landscape of our future.
The Treaty of Waitangi settlement process
Te Tai Whakaea supports hapū, iwi and settlement groups to tell their stories of Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Te Treaty of Waitangi settlements result from multi-generational efforts by hapū and iwi to engage with the Treaty claims process.
Under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, Māori (on their own behalf or behalf of iwi, hapū or other groups), can make historical claims regarding the Crown’s breaches of Te Treaty of Waitangi since 1840. This involves a retelling of their histories of engagement with the Crown, resulting in accounts that are unique to hapū and iwi. The Waitangi Tribunal then releases its findings for the Crown to consider with a view to the settlement of these claims. Claims may also be settled by direct negotiation between claimants and the Crown, without going through the Waitangi Tribunal’s processes.
The Treaty of Waitangi settlement process is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand, and has led to significant changes in our communities, shaping our identity as a nation.