The investigation and decision of this case occupied five days. The whole of the parties concerned behaved in a most orderly and praiseworthy manner throughout. Te Moananui was the spokesman on the one side and Hohepa Hikutaia and Te Harawira the speakers on the other.

Decision of the Arbitrators.

• 1. That Te Moananui claims the block of land commencing on the sea coast at Te Kahakaha, thence to the upper end of the Opeope Swamp, thence by the edge of that swamp to Teroa on the inner side of the Katikati Harbour, thence by the coast to Motukouru, thence inland to the summit of Tohureo, thence to the summit of Te Aroha Range, thence along that range in a northerly direction to a point inland from Te Kahakaha, thence to the point of commencement on the sea coast. He also claims a small piece situated on the inner side of Katikati Head, extending from Tuaheka to Opotoki, known as Paparahangi Block.
• 2. That Ranginui and Waitaha were the original owners of the Tauranga District. That Te Moananui is descended from Ranginui, and that his title is not disputed in that respect, and that Ngaiterangi admit his title by inheritance.
• 3. That Ngaiterangi came from Hakuranui, south of Maketu, and fought with the various branches of the Ranginui and Waitaha tribes, and then located themselves at Tauranga.
• 4. That Ngaiterangi proper have no claims by right of inheritance to lands in the District of Tauranga, but they have their claims on right of conquest only.
• 5. That Ngaiterangi frequently fought against the ancestors of Te Moananui; that on some occasions the former were victorious, and on others the latter were the conquerors. That Ngaiterangi occupied Katikati on several occasions. That in despite of these conflicts and occupations Te Moananui was personally in possession of the land now claimed by him immediately antecedent to Hongi Hika's invasion of Tauranga.
• 6. That Te Moananui left the land now claimed by him just before Hongi's invasion, and that neither he (Moananui) or Ngaiterangi have ever permanently resided on it since that date. That since Hongi's invasion Ngaiterangi have exercised certain rights of ownership over the land in question. That Te Moananui has also exercised similar rights, but not to the same extent.