Hon Christopher Finlayson
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

10 February 2009 Media Release

Settlement agreement signed with Kurahaupō Ki Te Waipounamu Trust

Ministers of the Crown and representatives of the Kurahaupō Ki Te Waipounamu Trust today signed a letter of agreement to a comprehensive settlement of the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the trust’s three constituent iwi.

The Crown was represented by Prime Minister John Key, Minister of Māori Affairs Pita Sharples and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson at the ceremony at Parliament.

The combined tribal area of the three Kurahaupō iwi covers the entire top of the South Island. The Kurahaupō Ki Te Waipounamu Trust comprises Ngāti Apa Ki Te Ra To, Ngāti Kuia and Rangitāne o Wairau.

Negotiations between the Crown and Kurahaupō began in August 2006.

The historical claims of the Kurahaupō iwi primarily relate to the failure of the Crown to adequately recognise the customary rights of Ngāti Apa Ki Te Ra To, Ngāti Kuia and Rangitāne o Wairau in pre-1865 purchases of land. This impacted on the operation of the native land laws, including the exclusion of Ngāti Apa Ki Te Ra To, Ngāti Kuia and Rangitāne from the Nelson and Motueka tenths. Their claims also relate to the Crown’s failure to set aside adequate reserves and to ensure that the Kurahaupō iwi retained sufficient lands for their future needs.

Kurahaupō will receive a total of $42.41 million in redress and a further $37.2 million in lieu of redress over licensed Crown forest land.

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