KEY POINTS:
Te Whanau a Apanui has netted a foreshore and seabed deal that protects local Maori and Pakeha fishing practices.
Yesterday, the Crown and eastern Bay of Plenty iwi, whose tribal boundaries extend from near Torere to Potikirua, signed a heads of agreement - the second of its type
in a month.
However, an important variation from the Ngati Porou deal will see Pakeha and tribal people who live in the district free from a permit system when they go fishing, in a concession, known as the iwi kainga catch provision.
Because there will be Te Whanau a Apanui-specific fishing bylaws under the agreement, this concession is an important cornerstone of the deal, co-negotiator Dayle Takitimu said.
"The reason why we put it on the table is that we wanted the law to reflect our tikanga [practice] before getting carried away about permits.
"There's already an accepted beach take. We wanted the hau kainga [home people] recognised.
"We didn't want to have to go and get a pink slip if on the way home from work we wanted to get a cray for dinner. There's no use having a flash law that doesn't work on the ground."
Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui worked together to negotiate their deals - both have extensive holdings and own more than 90 per cent of the land next to their coastlines.
The Herald understands the Crown and Ngati Porou will meet today and that at the final signoff, Ngati Porou is likely to have a similar iwi kainga provision in its legislation.
The Maori Party has labelled the deals "paternalistic" and says the Government's giving back something that it took in the first place has nothing to do with justice.
But those in the Eastern Bay of Plenty yesterday were happy with their negotiators.
William Semmens was working at Maraenui Pa where the parties met.
He said although his iwi had been opposed to the "painful" foreshore and seabed legislation, everyone was "buzzing about" this deal.
"That's just life. We are now in a stronger position. This is about recognition that we are here to protect this place."
It was right that local Pakeha interests were also looked after, he said
"They've come here and we've got to look after them - it's not about stopping them."
* WHAT IT MEANS
The deal will give Te Whanau a Apanui greater control of its territory.
Covers an area of the East Cape between Torere and Potikirua.
The management of the foreshore and seabed by the local regional council must be conducted in accordance with the special status the iwi has with it.
Pakeha and tribal people who live in the district will be free from a permit system when they go fishing.
The pact will establish a statutory relationship between the tribe and ministers with responsibilities for Energy, Fisheries, Environment, Conservation, and Arts, Culture and Heritage.