To be more precise I am talking about the 112 acre plot of disputed land in the heart of Parramatta, Sydney. The claim is now before the Federal Court.

Background to the Maori land claim; In 1811 Paramount Maori Chief, Kawiti visited the Rev Samuel Marsden (good, and much loved friend of Maori) at Ruatara’s farm at Rangihou, Parramatta. This visit by Kawiti resulted in a section of land in the Field of Mars, being gifted to Chief Kawiti by the Barramarragul Aboriginal Clan Leader Corrangie. Corrangie marked a line across his land, cutting notches in the stumps of trees with a knife. When asked what he was doing, he replied that he was marking out a farm for Kawiti, who was to return as soon as possible with one hundred men to work it.

In return for this gift of goodwill and friendship (land) it was agreed that Rev Marsden's Church Mission Society could set up a Christian mission station in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, this duly took place in 1814. The Rev Marsden sent two missionaries, Kendall and Hall, to open communication with Maori Chief Ruatara and get the Maori reaction to the missionaries living among them. They were well received, after the generosity shown to Chief Kawiti in 1811. Rev Marsden invited Maori Chiefs and their families to come and live with him in Parramatta, to be educated, and as a sign of friendship. The invitation was also designed to stimulate trade. It helped guarantee safe passage and protection for Europeans travelling to New Zealand, both missionaries and settlers. Many Maori did travel to Parramatta, and several Maori children are burred on this (Marsden) sacred land.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2019/08/23/nz-maori-minister-urges-rangihou-people-think-again-after-sydney-land-clai

BTW; My wife has received much chatter on 'Facebook' concerning the above land claim, with Lady Crown leading the fight!

Why am I not surprised !

Already the benefits have started to flow. In a magnanimous gesture of generosity and goodwill, the Rangihou Tribal Council attempted to reduce the parking fee at the Rangihou Car Park by 33% from $12 to $8 for all day parking, both for pakeha and native alike, unfortunately this was not successful, due to unprovoked intervention by the police forces of the neighbouring state of Australia. However, I am confident the Nation of Rangihou have no intention, at this stage, of introducing an expensive visa system for Australians and other foreign aliens visiting the sovereign nation of Rangihou.

Hi Paul,

Kendall was a fascinating man. He brought the first ship-load of bibles over from Sydney around 1814 to Kororareka (later called Russell) in the Bay of Islands: the ship had at least one Aboriginal crewman. His school there (once he had mastered the Maori language) was the first Western-type school in New Zealand. He later ran off with a Maori maiden (from Kawakawa?), went to sea and eventually perished off the coast of Chile.

But about Rangihou: land ownership is not national sovereignty. Even if the story is true, the underlying title to that land still belongs to the Aboriginal group which granted Chief Kawiti's right to use it. And these days, underlying that power is the national sovereignty of the Australian state.

Cheers,

Joe

Dear Paul,

Thank You for telling us about the Maori
Land Claim. I'll have to find out more about it.
Having grown up in Parramatta - it certainly is
of interest to me. Fascinating stuff.

cont'd ...

Not sure about the recovery of land.

Does it have any statutes of limitations?

And did the man who gave the "gift" have
the legal right to do so?