100 per day register to vote on deed

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About 100 people a day are registering as Whanganui Iwi so they can vote on whether to ratify the proposed Whanganui River treaty settlement, negotiation team member Nancy Tuaine says.

The Whanganui River Maori Trust Board and members of the negotiation team would like to see more come forward.

"We know there are still many out there that have yet to make contact."

Everyone registered should have received their ratification documents by now. If they have not received their pack it is likely they are not registered.

People can check whether they are registered by phoning the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board on 06 345 8160.

After the board registers them it has to send their details to Electionz, which is running the election.

After an 130-year effort Whanganui Iwi have finally reached a stage where they can ratify a deed of settlement.

But Ms Tuaine said there were still members who did not understand the settlement process or know the significance of this milestone.

The tribal group has been holding hui (meetings) all over New Zealand, to explain it.

The last meeting at a major centre was on Monday night in Wellington.

There are two more local ones - at Ranana's marae on Saturday and at Putiki Marae on Sunday, both at 10am.

Numbers have fluctuated at the hui, Ms Tuaine said, but the questions and participation have been of quality.

"The hui have been very good, with people seeking to understand the complexities of the settlement prior to making their choices." Voting started on June 13 and closes on July 11.