Tūhourangi Tribal Authority chairman Alan Skipwith and Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust chairman Leith Comer sign the Deed of Undertaking at Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Photo / Supplied
Tūhourangi Tribal Authority chairman Alan Skipwith and Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust chairman Leith Comer sign the Deed of Undertaking at Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Photo / Supplied
Some 4000 members of Ngāti Rangitihi iwi have one month to air their views on the "milestone" settlement that puts historical disputes to bed.
As of today, Ngāti Rangatihi iwi can have their say on their Deed of Settlement following a successful joint negotiation with Tūhourangi to the Crown.
If the settlement is ratified, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority (TTA) will then be able to have land returned that was not available when it settled with the Crown in 2007 and the overlapping claim issues from Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust (Te Mana) will be resolved.
Te Mana chairman Leith Comer said of the 4000 eligible voters he expected a large portion would vote, and he was hitting the road around New Zealand to ensure they did.
The pioneering agreement for the return of lands will mean Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi stand to be both the joint business and landowners of Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi representatives. Photo / Supplied
Comer believed further development of the eco-tourism business could be achieved if the settlement was agreed upon.
He said Rotorua was attracting tourists already through Māori culture, history and environment.
"That gives us a good sound base to operate a tourism business."
The agreement was putting an end to historical disputes over the land where the Pink and White Terraces once stood, Comer said.
"But when you start working with them and not fighting with them you suddenly see how close you are."
TTA chairman Alan Skipwith said the agreement would see mutual benefits for both iwi and was signalling a new era in post-Treaty settlement relationships among neighbouring iwi.
"Putting aside our differences in this way, despite the mamae of the past, will enable Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi to continue working together to develop the cultural, economic and environmental values of our whenua, through sustainable environmental tourism.
"The return to iwi of the lands at Waimangu and Otūkapuarangi will mean that our future generations can reconnect with the tribal lands that their ancestors once roamed."
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little said the way in which Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūhourangi had worked together was commendable.
"Through their efforts, a resolution has been achieved that provides the foundation for a long-term positive relationship.
"The Crown's approach to using public conservation land in Treaty settlements has evolved over time and with successive governments."
He said each Treaty settlement was a political agreement shaped by Crown policy and iwi aspirations in the context in which they were negotiated.
Deed of Settlement vote
• Ngāti Rangitihi will be able to vote on their Deed of Settlement from July 24 to August 23.
• If the Deed of Settlement is approved, the agreements between Te Mana and TTA will come into effect once the Ngāti Rangitihi settlement has passed through legislation in 2022.
