A Kawerau-based iwi is today to sign a $10.5 million Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Government.
Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau, which covers the Kawerau, Te Teko, Edgecumbe and Matata areas of the Bay of Plenty region, was scheduled to sign the deed of settlement at Hahuru Marae this afternoon.
The settlement includes a Crown apology, $10.5m cash and cultural redress recognising the traditional, historical, cultural and spiritual associations to key sites in the Ngati Tuwharetoa area.
The iwi suffered confiscation of much of their traditional lands in the 19th century. When land was eventually returned, it was without regard for traditional ownership.
The settlement will be made law once the iwi has established an appropriate governance entity to receive the settlement money.
The signing comes after 95 per cent of the iwi voted in support of settling with the Crown.
It is the fifth treaty settlement reached by the current Government and the second with a Bay of Plenty tribe. Ngati Awa signed a deed of settlement with the Government in March.
Last week, the Government settled a treaty claim with south Taranaki iwi Ngati Ruanui, which included an apology, $41m cash and the return of key sites of significance.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
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