Payment for trust board

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 42, 7 April 1987, Page 1

Payment for trust board

An interim payment of $145,500 has recently been made to the interim Whanganui River Maori Trust Board to help in its establishment and for its first year of operations. Legislation is being drafted to establish the board under the Maori Trust Board's Act, and will then have the authority of that act in its area. The board will also be an advisory body on all matters affecting the new Whanganui National Park on Maori traditions or culture of the river or any of the land in the park. Mr Wetere said that as part of the settlement of the claims of the Maori people of the Wanganui River, compensation for the taking of metal needed to be settled. "This payment of $ 1 45,500 is an interim payment which will be made only once, and will be used by the AtihauWanganui people to help establish their trust board. The Trust Board will be represented on the Wellington National Parks and Reserves Board which has the jurisdiction for the Whanganui National Park. Mr Wetere said that once established, the trust board could more effectively continue researching the question of the metal which had

been taken from the river over the years, and which the Johnston Royal Commission in 1950 had recommended should be compensated for to the Maori owners.