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1800s
A series of heke (migrations) beginning in Marokopa and northern Taranaki culminated in our arrival in Motueka in the Heke Niho Mango.
1840
1840 Treaty of Waitangi signed.
1841
Gift-giving ceremony at Kaiteretere; our ancestors made it clear to The New Zealand Company that Te Maatu (the Big Wood) was to be exempt from the Tenths Reserves and remain in customary title. Te Maatu is the largest part of our NRAIT lands today.
1853
Govenor Grey passes Crown Grants legislation. Bishop Selwyn (head of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa) becomes the administrator of 918 acres of our lands in the Motueka district which are gazetted as Native Reserves. Selwyn devolves management of our lands to three Trustees: Dr J D Greenwood; Major Richmond; Archdeacon R B Paul.
1859
The Trustee system is replaced with a Board of Appointment. In 1860 management of our lands is passed to Bishop Hobhouse of Nelson; thus to the Nelson Diocese who control management through a new and separate board, the Whakarewa School Trust Board.
1860s
For decades our ancestors, the original Mäori owners and their descendants, fiercely contest the alienation of our lands. Their protests take the form of submissions, petitions, objections, and deputations.
1869-1905
A Commission of Enquiry is held into the ownership of our land. In 1888 a special investigation is complied by Alexander Mackay. In 1905 a Royal Commission is held.
1900s
The Whakarewa School Trust Board attempts to maintain its obligations and operates a residential industrial/agricultural school with mixed success.
1950s
The school operates as a residential home for orphans and children from adverse circumstances.
1970s
The Homestead Block is leased to the Nelson Hospital Board for the residential care of handicapped patients.
1980s
Following the withdrawal of the Nelson Hospital Board, the Whakarewa Trust's activites are reviewed and through the Ngäti Rärua Council we renew our efforts to have the assets of the Trust returned to us. We repeatedly present submissions to Church authorities.
1988
Following the Amendment to the Treaty of Waitangi Act, which enables the examination of grievances, we file documents and preliminary reports to indicate the scope of a claim.
1990s
1990s Church authorities finally acknowledge breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi have taken place and agree to negotiate the return of the Whakarewa Estates to us, the rightful owners.
1993
The Ngäti Rärua Ätiawa Iwi Trust Empowering Act 1993 is passed to create the Ngäti Rärua Ätiawa Iwi Trust.
Welcome - this is our place, online. NRAIT's job is to manage property for the descendants of the original Maori land owners of Motueka for the benefit of our extended Whanau.
The Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 30 March 2013, at Te Awhina Marae. Thank you to all of those that attended. Travel assistance will be sent out to individuals shortly for those that attended the AGM on receipt of their travel costs, so if you haven’t already done so, please send in all costs in incurred so we can distribute funds.
And for those of you that couldn’t make it. Click here to view the AGM Presentation.
Click here for Treaty of Waitiangi Update.
Funding application forms are now available on line here
The Trust promotes its charitable objectives by providing financial assistance to individuals, groups and organisations participating in extra curricular activities. Please see the application form for more details or contact Selina at the office (03) 548 0770 or Selina@nrait.co.nz.
NRAIT is beginning to implement initiatives to advance the cause of our people in every way possible, and to preserve and promote our culture for posterity and reconnect our people with the land and the whakapapa. Fundamental to achieving this is engaging communication between the Trust and our owners. We urge all owners who have an email address to contact the office and provide these.
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