The signing of He Rau Tukutuku, the Deed of Settlement for Ng\u0101 Hap\u016b o Te Iwi o Whanganui, is expected to be attended by Government ministers and Crown officials as well as iwi leaders from throughout the motu and hundreds of supporters.<\/p>\n
In a two-month ratification process that ended in early April, iwi members backed the negotiated redress with 81% support.<\/p>\n
Seventy-nine per cent voted in favour of establishing Takapau Wh\u0101riki Trust as the post-settlement governance entity (PSGE).<\/p>\n
The vote drew a turnout of 25%, representing just over 1000 voters from a roll of about 4000 members over the age of 18.<\/p>\n
That approval set the stage for the formal signing of the deed at Kaiwhaiki Marae, where the Crown will deliver an apology and acknowledge its breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Forlong said police preparations were ongoing and involved engagement with local iwi.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are well underway with planning our approach. This preparation has included speaking with iwi members.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the priority was ensuring public safety at the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus is on ensuring everyone attending can do so with the confidence that police preparation is thorough, proportionate and appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police did not say whether there would be an increased security presence, but said they would be ready to respond if needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice will respond to any issues on the day should they arise,\u201d Forlong said.<\/p>\n
He also issued a reminder to the community about expected behaviour.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would remind everyone in the community of the importance of conducting themselves lawfully and safely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Details about specific security measures for the event were not provided.<\/p>\n
Lead iwi negotiator for the settlement, Ken Mair, said the iwi was aware of the posts but wanted to concentrate on having \u201ca brilliant day\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re focused on having a wonderful day at a momentous time in the history of our hap\u016b. We\u2019ll allow the police to do what they have to do, if issues arise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mair said that when people overstep the mark on social media, he expected police to respond.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the dangerous mechanisms we have at the moment is social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going through a stage of understanding the power of social media and also utilising social media to bring us together in a way that upholds our values \u2013 our old people\u2019s values \u2013 of toit\u016b te kupu, toit\u016b te mana, toit\u016b te whenua,\u201d Mair said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur values should be our guiding lights in regard to how we move forward as a collective in a unified way, understanding that that doesn\u2019t mean that everyone should think the same, act the same, but act in a manner that upholds our values.\u201d<\/p>\n
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n