Ngāti Tuwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill passes First Reading

Minister Andrew Little welcomed and acknowledged the rangatira of Ngāti Tūwharetoa who were at Parliament today as their claims settlement Bill passed its first reading this morning.

“I acknowledged Sir Tumu Te Heuheu and Sir Michael Cullen who have worked tirelessly for Ngāti Tuwharetoa.

“A second Bill, the Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill, also received its second reading today.

“The government is committed to settling historical Treaty grievances and to building a new partnership between the Crown and Māori.

“The Ngāti Tūwharetoa settlement includes an agreed historical account, a Crown apology and commercial and cultural redress. It is a significant step towards full and final settlement of all historical claims of Ngāti Tūwharetoa,” says Mr Little

Copies of the deed of settlement are available at https://www.govt.nz/treaty-settlement-documents/ngati-tuwharetoa/

Notes for editors
The settlement includes the following redress:
• Cultural funds, totalling $3,950,000, to support the aspirations for cultural and environmental revitalisation of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
• Transfer of 32 sites of cultural significance to Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
• 8 geographic name changes.
• The establishment of the Tongariro Trout Hatchery and Freshwater Ecology Centre Trust, to be managed by Ngāti Tūwharetoa, the Minister of Conservation and the Tongariro National Trout Centre Society Incorporated (who will each appoint two trustees). The Downs whānau (a whānau of Ngāti Tūrangitukua who are a hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa) will also appoint a trustee.
• The establishment of a statutory board, Te Kōpua Kānapanapa, to restore, protect and enhance the environmental, cultural and spiritual well-being of the Taupō catchment.
• Membership on the Rangitāiki River Forum.
• Financial redress of $25 million.
• Commercial redress including Taurewa Station and part of Karioi Forest on settlement date, and the right to purchase other Crown properties.
In 2008 Ngāti Tūwharetoa received a share of Crown Forest Land in the Central North Island valued at $203 million as part of the Central North Island Forests Iwi Collective settlement.
Ngāti Tūwharetoa are also part of a collective of iwi the Crown will engage with in future negotiations regarding the Tongariro National Park.

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