Hon Christopher Finlayson
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
8 November 2011
Agreement in Principle signed with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
The Crown has signed an Agreement in Principle towards settling the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the Ngāi Tai
ki Tāmaki iwi, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki suffered significant Treaty breaches including land loss through raupatu and significant Crown taking
of ‘surplus lands’ from old land claims such as the Fairburn Purchase that left them effectively landless from the
1880s. Today Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki retain less than 1% of their original land.
“This agreement will help right the wrongs of the past and restore the Treaty relationship between Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
and the Crown,” Mr Finlayson said.
The Agreement in Principle sets out historical, cultural, financial and commercial redress to settle the historical
Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), who are also part of Ngā Mana Whenua o
Tāmaki Makaurau (the Tāmaki Collective) and are in separate negotiations in respect of their interests in the Hauraki
region.
“The Agreement in Principle includes financial redress of $11.5 million plus interest from signing date, and cultural
redress over several sites of significance including on the motu (islands) in the Hauraki Gulf, Musick Point in East
Tāmaki and the Ness Valley in Clevedon,” he said.
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki will also have the option to purchase several Crown properties, including New Zealand Defence houses
in Papakura.
The Crown and Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki will now start negotiations towards a Deed of Settlement. Once a draft Deed is
completed, it will be put to the iwi for a vote. If ratified, the Deed will be signed and legislation introduced into
Parliament to implement the settlement.
The Agreement in Principle is an important step towards concluding Treaty settlements in Auckland and towards the wider
goal of completing the Treaty settlement process.
ENDS