Crown and Ngati Whatua agree on negotiations

The Crown and Ngati Whatua have signed terms of negotiation for the iwi's outstanding historic claims over parts of the Auckland and Northland regions.

Parts of the iwi - Ngati Whatua o Orakei, Ngati Whatua o Kaipara ki te Tonga and Te Kawerau a Maki - are involved in separate negotiations.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen said the negotiations were a chance to settle the overall iwi's other remaining claims.

"It is important that the final remaining claims of Ngati Whatua will all now be progressing to settlement."

He said once achieved, it would be another step on the road to meeting the Government's historic treaty settlements deadline on 2020.

"This means that we close an important chapter in the relationship between the Crown and Ngati Whatua and begin a new one."

- NZPA