A who's who of Maoridom and Tauranga's political leaders gathered on an emotionally-charged historic battleground today for the signing of Tauranga Moana's first settlement of Treaty of Waitangi claims.
UPDATE: 12.30
Ngati Ranginui's iwi's Deed of Settlement with the Crown has been signed before a crowd of about 1000 at the Te Ranga battleground in Pyes Pa.
UPDATE: 12.00
A crowd of about 1000 is gathered in Pyes Pa for Tauranga Moana's first settlement of Treaty of Waitangi claims.
Proceedings began this morning with a dawn flag-raising ceremony at 6.30am and a special powhiri welcomed Maori King, King Tuheiti at 9.30am.
This was followed an hour later by a welcome for the Crown and other distinguished guests.
The signing of the deed is expected to get underway shortly and will involve the Crown including the Minister of
Treaty Negotiations, Chris Finlayson, and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, the hapu trustees who will handle
the settlement assets, the representatives of the eight hapu who negotiated the settlement, and however many iwi members at the ceremony _ there are 700 pens available.
The signing will be followed by speeches of greeting by Mr Finlayson and the chairman of Ngati Ranginui hapu's
settlement team Antoine Coffin and presentations including the gifting of taonga (treasures) to rangatira of Ngati
Ranginui.
The flag will then be lowered at 1pm, before guests move to Ngai Te Ahi hapu's Hairini Marae.
King Tuheitia and Crown officials will be welcomed to Hairini Marae at 1.30pm, followed by a banquet.
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