A Long Time Coming

Discover the transformative journey of the Ng?i Tahu settlement in 'A Long Time Coming' by Martin Fisher. This detailed paperback explores the intricate political and historical aspects of the Treaty of Waitangi settlements in Aotearoa New Zealand. With a unique perspective gained from years of research, Fisher delves into the 150-year battle for justice that culminated in the Ng?i Tahu settlement in 1998. The book brings to life the tireless efforts of generations of Ng?i Tahu, emphasizing the significant figures such as Tipene O'Regan and Doug Graham, who navigated complex negotiations filled with challenges and community pressures. Spanning the historical timeline from 1849 to the 1990s, this 224-page narrative is a vital resource for those interested in M?ori history, cultural heritage, and legal proceedings surrounding land rights and treaty claims. Perfect for academics, students, and anyone interested in understanding New Zealand’s rich, yet tumultuous, history with its indigenous people. Secure your copy today to gain insights into a crucial part of Aotearoa's past that deserves to be recognized and understood. Uncover the struggles and resilience of Ng?i Tahu with this comprehensive, engaging account that resonates with both M?ori and P?keh? audiences. Ideal for history enthusiasts, educators, and researchers, this book is a must-have addition to any collection focusing on the Treaty of Waitangi or M?ori studies.

Author: Martin Fisher Publisher: Canterbury University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 155 x 230 mm
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 12-10-2020

The Ng?i Tahu settlement, like all other Treaty of Waitangi settlements in Aotearoa New Zealand, was more a product of political compromise and expediency than measured justice. The Ng?i Tahu claim, Te Ker?me, spanned two centuries, from the first letter of protest to the Crown in 1849 to the final hearing by the Waitangi Tribunal between 1987 and 1989, and then the settlement in 1998. Generation after generation carried on the fight with hard work and persistence and yet, for nearly all Ng?i Tahu, the result could not be called fair. The intense negotiations between the two parties, Ng?i Tahu and the Crown, were led by a pair of intelligent, hard-nosed rangatira, who had a constructive but often acrimonious relationship - Tipene O’Regan and the Minister of Treaty Negotiations Doug Graham - but things were never that simple. The Ng?i Tahu team had to answer to the communities back home and iwi members around the country. Most were strongly supportive, but others attacked them at hui, on the marae and in the media, courts and Parliament. Graham and his officials, too, had to answer to their political masters. And the general public - interested P?keh?, conservationists, farmers and others - had their own opinions. In this measured, comprehensive and readable account, Martin Fisher shows how, amid such strong internal and external pressures, the two sides somehow managed to negotiate one of the country’s longest legal documents. ‘A Long Time Coming’ tells the extraordinary, complex and compelling story of Ng?i Tahu’s treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown. But it also shines a light, for both M?ori and P?keh?, on a crucial part of this country’s history that has not, until now, been widely enough known. Author: Martin Fisher was born in Hungary and grew up in Canada and New Zealand. He has a BA (Hons) from the University of Otago, an MA from McGill University, and a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington, all in history. Martin worked as an academic tutor for a range of courses in history, political studies and management. He also worked in the Treaty of Waitangi claims process, first as a researcher for the Office of Treaty Settlements and the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, and then from 2012 to 2014 as a research analyst/inquiry facilitator at the Waitangi Tribunal. He joined the Ng?i Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury as a lecturer in 2014.