Land & Takutai Moana Komiti

The Land and Takutai Moana Komiti is the body umbrellered by Te Paatu ki Kauhanga Trust Board to coordinate and oversee Treaty claims and Takutai Moana work programmes. The Trust Board provides governance, strategic direction, and operations support, while the komiti carries out the operational responsibilities required to progress both legal processes. The trustees also authorised the Land & Takutai Moana Komiti to lead all Treaty of Waitangi claims work before both the Waitangi Tribunal and the High Court in 2021.


The komiti works closely with legal counsel, historians, researchers, and the operations team to manage the day‑to‑day coordination of the Wai 45 Renewed Muriwhenua Inquiry and the Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Kahu Takutai Moana application. It ensures that research, evidence preparation, claimant engagement, and reporting are completed in an organised and timely manner. The komiti also acts as the central point of communication between claimant groups, applicants and the Trust Board, providing regular updates and ensuring information flows back to beneficiaries, claimant groups, and interested parties.


The Land and Takutai Moana Komiti oversees two separate legal pathways: the Waitangi Tribunal process and the Marine and Coastal Area Act application. For the Tribunal process, the Komiti supports claimants by coordinating historical research, preparing evidence, and ensuring claimants are ready for hearings or direct negotiations with the Crown.


For the Takutai Moana application, the Komiti assists applicants with evidence development, engagement with neighbouring groups, and preparation for High Court hearings or Crown engagement. The Komiti ensures each pathway remains properly separated, well‑resourced, and aligned with its legal requirements.


Overall, the Komiti is responsible for coordinating, managing, and progressing all claims‑related work, ensuring that the interests of both claimants and applicants are effectively represented throughout the Tribunal and High Court processes.


Susan Peters

Te Paatu, Ngāti Tara, Matakairiri, Ngāti Kahu elected as chair of the Land & Takutai Moana Sub-Committee in February 2025, and chair of Te Paatu ki Kauhanga Trust in May 2025.  Susan is the Te Paatu ki Kauhanga Trustee representative to the subcommittee and has been a trustee of the trust since its inception. Susan became an applicant for the Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu takutai moana application on 16 July 2025.

 

Ngaire Tauhara-White & Waha Tauhara

Wai 1842, the Tauhara, Waiaua and Te Kaitoa Whanau Lands claim. A claim was made by Rev. Pereniki Tauhara, Ngaire Tauhara-White, and Waha Tauhara on behalf of the descendants of Matiu Tauhara, Terina Kingi Waiaua, Pene Te Kaitoa, and Te Paatu ki Kauhanga hapu.  Waha became an applicant for Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu takutai moana application on 18 February 2026.

 

Tina Latimer

Wai 1359, the Muriwhenua Blocks Claim. On behalf of the late Sir Graham Latimer and Tina Patricia Latimer, and on behalf of themselves and the descendants of Te Paatu tupuna. Paora, Hare Reweti Hukatere, Ratima Aperahama, and Ratima. Tina has been an applicant for Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu takutai moana application since the 18 February 2026.

Atihana Moana Johns

Atihana Moana Johns is the kaumatua of the Land and Takutai Moana sub-committee, and an applicant under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 for Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu.

Trevor Wi Kaitaia

Trevor is also an original applicant under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 on behalf of Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu. The application was formally registered by the late Rev. Pereniki Tauhara, the late Glen Larkin Kaiwaka, and Atihana Moana Johns. 

Leah Wright

Wai 1662, the Muriwhenua Hapu Collective Claims. On behalf of Leah Wright and herself, whanau and Ngāti Tara, Te Paatu, Werowero, and others. Leah has been an applicant for Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu takutai moana application since the 18 February 2026.

 

Tarewa Rota

 WAI 295, on behalf of the beneficiaries, including the Mangahoutoa Trust, the Te Tahaawai, and the Te Uri-o-te-Aho tribes. Tarewa Rota is the  claimant for WAI 295. The original named claimants also included Lucy Te Awa (secretary), Pokai Tahere (treasurer), Basil Flavell, Della Snowden, James Heke, Guy Kaio (trustees), and kaumatua Karena Malcom, Hone Tahere, and Simon Snowden.

 

Emily Latimer & Sharlene Houghton

Wai 1670, the descendants of Te Uri o Ratima claim. Emily Latimer, Sharlene Houghton, and the late Ricky Houghton on behalf of Te Paatu and Te Uri o Ratima.

Robert Gabel

Wai 1668 and 1886 were registered on behalf of the Ngāti Tara descendants on 22 April 2008 by Robert Gabel. Robert is also an applicant before the High Court for Ngāti Tara under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011.

 

Chappy Harrison

 Wai 2000 was filed in August 2008 on behalf of the Harihona whanau. The claim was amended in 2012 to include Ngāti Tara and to add Robert Gabel, Raniera Bassett, Hone Bassett, Kelvin Piripi, Mervyn Priestley, Tina-Lee Raiti-Yates, and the late Donald Raiti as co-claimants.

 

Geneva Harrison

Geneva Harrison is the current proxy for Wai 2000 on behalf of her brother, Chapman Harrison. Geneva is the Vice Chair of the Land & Takutai Moana Sub-Committee. Geneva became an applicant for Nga Hapu o Ngāti Kahu takutai moana application on 18 February 2026.