Ngati Porou agrees to settle for $110 million
Dec. 22 (BusinessDesk) – Members of New Zealand’s second-largest iwi (tribe), Ngati Porou, have voted overwhelmingly to
support a $110 million cash settlement of all historical claims under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Ngati Porou leaders initialled a draft settlement in late October, and 90% of registered members of the iwi who attended
subsequent hui (open forums) to discuss the issue supported it.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson signed a Deed of Settlement on behalf of the Crown for the settlement of
all Ngāti Porou’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.
Ngāti Porou is New Zealand’s second largest iwi with 72,000 members, 58 hapu and 48 marae on the East Coast of the North
Island. “I am very happy to bring this settlement to a conclusion,” Mr Finlayson said. “The settlement of such a major
claim will put longstanding historical grievances to rest and bring significant benefits both to Ngāti Porou and to the
East Coast region.”
The settlement includes financial redress of $110 million and the return of sites of high cultural significance in Ngāti
Porou totalling approximately 5,898 hectares. It also provides Ngāti Porou with input into the strategic governance of
specific conservation sites and relationship agreements designed to facilitate good working relationships between
specific Crown agencies and Ngāti Porou.
“The settling of historical Treaty claims marks the beginning of a new relationship for Ngāti Porou and the Crown,” said
Finlayson. “With settlements on the verge of completion with Turanga iwi, all historical claims in the East Coast region
will soon be settled.”
Legislation will be introduced to finalise the settlement in the New Year.
The settlement comes as the country’s largest iwi, Ngapuhi, begins its settlement negotiation process.
(BusinessDesk)