Land returned to Ngati Tuwharetoa

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was part of the signing of 8500ha of Crown land which has been returned to Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Ngati Tuwhareto is celebrating the return of 8500ha of Crown land to the iwi.

A Ngati Tuwharetoa partnership, the Tuwharetoa Settlement Trust (TST) and five other T?wharetoa entities, have finalised the purchase of 8500 hectares of Crown land in the central North Island. This includes around 4000 hectares of timber plantations.

The sale and purchase by Hautu-Rangipo Whenua Limited (HRWL), valued at $52.7 million, was marked at Rongomai marae today by Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Ta Tumu te Heuheu, CNI Iwi representatives, and representatives of the iwi partnership.

TST Chairman, Dylan Tahau, said the deal had significant strategic and commercial benefits for the iwi partnership.

"This is a major milestone for our iwi. To complete this purchase and have the land returned makes this a great day for Ngati Tuwharetoa.

"We are really pleased that the iwi has been able to collaborate to make this a success. Bringing together six Tuwharetoa entities and eight hapi to enable this to happen is something we are really proud of.

"We also acknowledge the support of CNI Iwi Holdings and we look forward to working with the Corrections Department going forward," Mr Tahau said.

Hautu-Rangipo Whenua Limited included a TST subsidiary, two large forestry Trusts, three Tuwharetoa farming entities, and a collective entity representing eight hapu. The purchase is part of the Deferred Settlement Process, which was agreed with the Crown in the 2008 Central North Island (CNI) Treaty Settlement.

Some of the land on the Tongariro/Rangipo Prison site will continue to be used by Ministry of Corrections to help rehabilitate prisoners. This includes about 700ha for a training farm for prisoners to hone their farming skills, giving them real work opportunities on release.

"This deal has been in negotiation since 2008 and all the parties involved should be proud of their contribution to this outcome," Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

"This land has both cultural and commercial significance to Tuwharetoa. It re-joins the Lake Taupo Forest land to the north and Lake Rotoaira Forest land to the south."

The land includes several wahi tapu and two rivers which are important to Ngati Tuwharetoa.

"The sale provides the iwi involved with the resources to assist their economic, social and cultural development. It also has benefits for Corrections and the prisoners who will gain valuable work skills and experience," Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

Corrections and the iwi partnership signed the sale and purchase agreement on 17 April this year.

"I am honoured to take part in such a significant milestone for the people of Ng?ti T?wharetoa and all New Zealanders," Mr Lotu-Iiga said.