Ruapehu iwi on cusp of Treaty settlement to be signed at Raketapaauma Marae

Lead Ngāti Rangi negotiator Che Wilson is pictured at the launch of the Ruapehu Whanau Transformation Plan in 2013. Photo / File

The bed of a mountain lake, more say in a river's health and about $17 million will be signed over to Ruapehu iwi Ngāti Rangi on March 10.

The tribe's deed of settlement for Treaty of Waitangi claims is to be signed at Raketapaauma Marae, near Waiouru, with a pōwhiri at 9am.

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little will be there. Former minister Chris Finlayson, who saw most of the settlement process through, has been invited and people from neighbouring iwi will be present.

Ngāti Rangi uri (descendants) were 99 per cent in favour of the deed of settlement for their claims.

If it follows the deed of settlement initialled in August, it will give the iwi $17 million. That money can be used to buy back land in Karioi Forest, and other Crown land Ngāti Rangi will have first refusal on.

The tribe also expects to get the bed of Lake Rotokura, which lies at the foot of Mount Ruapehu near Ohakune, and it wants a bigger role in the health and wellbeing of the Whangaehu River.

Ngāti Rangi is already involved in fencing and planting 60km of the river, using $450,000 of its own money. It would like its links with the river recognised in a similar way to those of Whanganui iwi with the Whanganui River.

On the land, Ngāti Rangi wants to work with the Conservation Department on decisions affecting its rohe (area), and members want the ability to take stone from Mount Ruapehu and its rivers.

Defence Force land near Waiouru is to be returned to the iwi, and symbolically given back to the force.

The lead negotiator for Ngāti Rangi, Che Wilson, has said the tribe wants partnership, reconciliation and recognition from the Crown. It hopes the settlement will bring a healthier environment, and prosperity and wellbeing for its people.

The signing is likely to create a new entity, Te Totarahoe o Paerangi, to manage the settlement and the iwi's affairs.

Che Wilson, Shar Amner, Cassandra Reid, Carl Wilson, Toni Waho and Kemp Dryden were the tribe's negotiators. The negotiations have taken two years.