There's a sense of optimism in the Taranaki town of Waitara as it looks to settle 150 years of land disputes.
The towns land was confiscated from Maori in the 1860's and was shortly after gifted to local authorities.
This has frustrated local iwi and other residents, who can't buy the land their homes are on, from the New Plymouth District Council.
However, a new bill which has just gone out for public consultation would gift some of the land back to iwi and allow the residents to buy their land.
Mayor Andrew Judd said the deal was not perfect for everyone but it's been a long time coming.