The Government has signed an agreement with Tauranga Moana iwi and Waitaha to transfer ownership of Mauao (Mr Maunganui ) to the iwi of Tauranga Moana and to recognise the importance of the mountain to Waitaha, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said today
The Crown has previously agreedthat the title of Mauao, a landmark mountain, be returned to the local iwi and a preliminary agreement was initialled in July 2007.
A final agreement was signed over the weekend by iwi representatives and Mr Horomia on behalf of the Crown.
Under the agreement, Tauranga City Council will continue to manage the historic reserve.
"The public's rights to access and use the maunga (mountain) will continue unaffected. The transfer does not form part of any Treaty settlement," Mr Horomia said.
Mr Horomia welcomed the agreement, and thanked both the iwi negotiators and Associate Treaty Negotiations Minister Mita Ririnui, also a local MP, who together worked hard to ensure the agreement was reached.
The agreement acknowledges the historical and traditional relationship of the iwi to the maunga and the Government had undertaken to introduce legislation to give effect to the transfer as soon as practicable, Mr Horomia said.
