Four Te Huki iwi have concluded Treaty of Waitangi settlements following the enactment of the Te Huki Claims Settlement Bill.
The four iwi are Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto and Te Rarawa.
The bill was accompanied by another Treaty settlement, which gave effect to a deed of settlement signed last year. Both bills recently passed their third reading, allowing them to progress into law.
The first bill ratified agreements between the Crown and the four Far North iwi, all of which now have full and final settlements.
The second bill to conclude a Treaty settlement was between the Crown and Auckland-based iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki.
Minister of Treaty Settlements Chris Finlayson said in a press statement that each settlement “acknowledges, apologises for and makes significant redress toward righting wrongs of the past”.
“The passing of this bill is one of the final steps in settling the grievances of Te Kawerau ā Maki and is significant as a further step toward the settlement of historical claims across Auckland,” said Finlayson.
Finlayson said the settlement allows for Te Kawerau ā Maki to purchase 86 percent of the Riverhead Crown Forest Licence land, “which will be a significant commercial asset for the iwi”.
“While the Crown can never fully compensate for the wrongs of the past, this settlement will enable Te Kawerau ā Maki to focus on developing a strong cultural and economic future”.
As the settlement negotiation concluded, Ngāti Kahu protested over their outstanding grievances, which may have been lost as a result of the Te Huki settlements.
Last week, a group of people claiming to represent Ngāti Kahu occupied Kaitaia Airport in a protest against the Crown for failing to seriously address their grievances.
Speaking on Radio Live last week, protest leader Wi Katana criticised the Crown for not providing a fair settlement for the iwi’s claim, saying that Ngāti Kahu had rightful ownership of the airport.
“Well rightfully we do [own the airport], we have evidence on how it was taken from our people, so rightfully we do. But at the moment the [Far North District] Council’s got it, the Crown’s got it and yeah, we’re here to take it back,” said Wi Katana.
Flights had to be cancelled, and the protest ended with several arrests following verbal trespasses.