Waikato-Tainui relativity adjustment
An adjustment payment has been made to Waikato-Tainui under the relativity mechanism in their 1995 Treaty of Waitangi
settlement, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced today.
Waikato-Tainui have received $95,000 to ensure the value of their Treaty settlement maintains its relative size compared
with the total value of all Treaty of Waitangi settlements to date.
“The payment relates to a dispute concerning the first relativity mechanism payment in 2012, which has been resolved by
arbitration.” Andrew Little said.
Minister Little says a relativity mechanism was agreed in the settlements with both Waikato-Tainui and Ngāi Tahu in 1995
and 1997 respectively.
“Clearly it must be honoured, as with any other commitment made in a Treaty settlement.”
The Crown and both iwi have agreed to resolve all disputes relating to the 2012 relativity mechanism payments through
confidential arbitration.
Both iwi can request a payment every five years to ensure the real value of their settlements remains at 17%
(Waikato-Tainui) and 16.1% (Ngāi Tahu) of the total Treaty settlement process.