25 September 2008 Media Statement

Jones welcomes Te Roroa settlement passage

Associate Treaty Negotiations Minister Shane Jones welcomed the passage of the Te Roroa Claims Settlement Bill as the end of a very long journey for Te Roroa iwi.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s Te Roroa Report was released in 1992, and periodic negotiations have been ongoing since then. The Crown and Te Roroa signed a Deed of Settlement in 2005.

The passage of this settlement represents another major Treaty settlement milestone for Northland. It is the second Treaty settlement in Northland following Te Uri o Hau’s settlement in 2002. Further settlements are well underway with Agreements in Principle having been reached with Ngati Kahu, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and others. Terms of Negotiation were signed with Ngati Whatua o Kaipara in June this year.

“This settlement gives Te Roroa the resources to manage their economic development independently of the Crown,” said Minister Jones.

“The settlement also enables Te Roroa to play a greater role in exercising kaitiakitanga over their sacred sites. 24 sites of cultural significance comprising an area of over 2,000 hectares are being returned to Te Roroa through the settlement.

"It is a small but enormously significant settlement for what has been a painful dispossession for Te Roroa. It also brings to an end a very long and enduring process.

Mr Jones said Dr Cullen should be saluted for his stewardship in the settlement as the Minister for Treaty Negotiations.

ENDS

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