13 October 2006
The descendant of a New Zealand Maori warrior chief is
campaigning for his people to claim British pensions.
David Rankin is a direct descendent of Hone Heke who played a
key part in the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi between indigenous leaders
and the British. He said he would make the claim for British
pensions under Article Three of the treaty, which guarantees Maori
"the same rights and privileges as British subjects".
Mr Rankin said he planned to lodge the claim with the
government-funded Waitangi Tribunal, which hears claims brought by
the indigenous people under the treaty and makes recommendations,
which may or may not be taken up by the government.
Mr Rankin is considering expanding the claim to include British
passports, unemployment benefits, and other entitlements.
