Ngati Tuwharetoa and the Crown today initialled a Treaty of Waitangi deed of settlement, allocating $10.5 million in financial redress for the Kawerau-based tribe.
The draft deed also includes a Crown apology and cultural redress aimed at protecting key Ngati Tuwharetoa sites and areas of cultural significance.
Treaty Negotiation Minister Margaret Wilson
said Ngati Tuwharetoa suffered confiscation of much of their traditional land in the 19th century.
"When land was eventually returned it was without regard for traditional ownership and much of the returned land was subsequently alienated."
If ratified, a final deed of settlement would be signed, conditional only on the establishment of an appropriate governance entity to receive the money, and the passage of related legislation through Parliament.
It is the second time in three months the Crown has initialled a deed of settlement for treaty claims from a Bay of Plenty tribe.
In July, it was Ngati Awa from Eastern Bay of Plenty.
"Both proposed settlements involve Crown forest licensed land in the central North Island area," Ms Wilson told the Maori affairs select committee this morning.
"(It is) the first time that forest land from this area has been proposed for use in a treaty settlement."
Ms Wilson told the committee significant progress had been made on claims, though "generally" not on land confiscation claims.
Te Arawa and Ngati Kahu mandates were now settled, she said.
Revised terms of negotiation between Crown and Te Arawa had been reached regarding their lakes claim, and there was steady progress in Wellington and Gisborne claims.
In the next six months Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement 2002 would progress through the House, and legislation related to South Island iwi Ngati Tama would be introduced.
- NZPA
