THE RUATOKI DECLARATION On 22 November 1959 Mr E. T. Tirikatene as Minister of Forests, made a public declaration at Ruatoki in the Urewere country, on the future of the forest lands in the catchments of the Rangitaiki, Whakatane, Waioeka and Wairoa Rivers. As Mr Tirikatene pointed out in his statement, it is incorrect and misleading to talk about one set of problems for the whole of the Urewera. The area under consideration included mainly the forested area in the Whakatane River catchment and only part of the forests in the other three catchment areas. The whole area came under survey because people living in the lower reaches of all four rivers are concerned about flooding and how activities in the forests affect matters. Mr Tirikatene explained to the gathering at Ruatoki how Maori owners can dispose of timber on their land. There are two methods: 1. Prospective buyers of timber should make an application to the Maori Land Court for a statutory meeting of owners who can pass a resolution to sell. The consent of the Minister of Forests is then required, given under the Maori Affairs Act. Confirmation of this consent by the Maori Land Court is required. 2. The owners may fell the timber themselves and sell the felled logs or mill. This system can lead to abuse. For many years, the New Zealand Forest Service consistently advised the Ministers of Forests to withhold consent to the sale of timber from Maori forests in the Urewera because of the danger of erosion and increased flooding that might accompany logging. Owners, however, were felling and selling their own timber and in recent years, this practice has grown.

THE UREWERA LAND COMMITTEE The Hon. E. B. Corbett, Minister of Forests, Lands and Maori Affairs in the last National Government, considered that the Maori owners should be allowed to realise on their assets. He was also concerned that it was necessary for timber to be cut in such a way as to prevent erosion rather than allow the practice of uncontrolled cutting to develop. After discussions with the owners in 1953, he set up the Urewera Maori Land Committee to administer a scheme of controlled cutting. The scheme was known as the A, B, C system. Under it, land to be sold was inspected by a Land Use Committee which worked under the main committee. It was composed of representatives of the forest owners and the Departments of Lands, Maori Affairs, Works, Agriculture and Forestry. As Mr Tirikatene said at the conclusion of his address, it is most important that all the forest lands of the Urewera be looked after in such a manner that their full protective value is maintained. Owners of Maori forests have agreed that this should be so. At the same time, owners' rights and interests must be protected. The same situation is, in fact, common to much protection forest throughout New Zealand. The Maori people are well aware of the need for such precautions. They have, indeed, an aptitude in the working of forests and it is to their advantage to work them carefully. Wherever possible, said the Minister, he would like to see them introduce permanent forest management. “I think,” said Mr Tirikatene in conclusion, “that they should extend their forest estate throughout New Zealand by the planting of all suitable land owned by them. I make an appeal to Maori people who have land not capable of being used for agriculture. Plant trees on this land. This is the best use that can be made of it for your present employment and your future prosperity. The New Zealand Forest Service will always be available for advice and assistance.” Note. This is a greatly abridged version of the report “Urewera. Facts and Figures of the Urewera Maori Lands in relation to the four catchment areas, National Parks and State Forests,” available on application from the Information Section. New Zealand Forest Service, Wellington, N.1.