Karapiti (Craters of the Moon) near Taupo is one of the 34 blocks of land and reserves being returned to Ngati Tuwharetoa. PHOTO/FILE
Karapiti (Craters of the Moon) near Taupo is one of the 34 blocks of land and reserves being returned to Ngati Tuwharetoa. PHOTO/FILE
A final landmark document that settles all Ngati Tuwharetoa historical Treaty of Waitangi claims will be signed this weekend following years of negotiation.
The package, which includes a Crown apology, acknowledgements and an agreed historical account, includes the return of 34 blocks of Crown-owned land and reserves to relevant hapu.
The land was valued in 2015 at nearly $22 million.
It includes Huka Falls reserve, Karapiti (Craters of the Moon), Onekenehe (DeBretts) and Tauhara geothermal spring, along with the Taupo Landing Reserve and the historic Taupo Courthouse.
Land at the southern end of the lake that will return to hapu ownership includes part of the former Tauranga-Taupo School, along with the Motuoapa, Waiotaka, Motutere and Oruatua reserves, properties in Tokaanu, the Turangi airstrip, part of the Tongariro National Trout Centre, the Tokaanu Hot Pools and Waihi road reserves.
The settlement includes a partnership agreement with the Department of Conservation to co-manage land within the area (rohe), including Tongariro National Park, and two seats on the Tongariro Taupo Conservation Board.
Ngati Tuwharetoa Paramount Chief Te Ariki Sir Tumu te Heuheu. PHOTO/FILE
A $25 million commercial redress package includes $16.4 million cash, full ownership of Taurewa Station, a former Linz farm, and part ownership of the Karioi Crown Forestry lands.
A new statutory board, Te Kopua Kanapanapa with representatives from Ngati Tuwharetoa (four seats), Taupo District Council (two seats) and Waikato Regional Council (two seats) will be responsible for managing the Taupo Catchment and developing a Taupo catchment plan.
Iwi will also have a right of first refusal over land owned by the Crown for 174 years. There are also additional cash payments and interest payments from accumulated forestry rentals.
Paramount chief Te Ariki Sir Tumu te Heuheu told iwi members earlier this year the settlement offered Ngati Tuwharetoa an opportunity to set its own course forward.
He said the vision and the path remained the same as was set by the hapu at the beginning of the negotiation process.
"This settlement is about our past and our future. We have always said our strength is in our unity and that this settlement needs to respect the tikanga, values and goals of our tupuna, but carried forward by a modern and representative entity.
"I look forward to our people working together to achieve this," Sir Tumu said.
The total value to Ngati Tuwharetoa of the settlement is about $180 million and includes the iwi share of the CNI Forestry settlement over the Kaingaroa Forest.
Ngati Tuwharetoa will sign the Deed of Settlement at Waitetoko Marae near Turangi on Saturday. Up to 1000 people, including iwi representatives from around the country, Government representatives, Taupo Mayor David Trewavas and local dignitaries are expected to attend the historic signing ceremony.
Crown representatives include Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson and Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell.
