Step closer to settling Treaty claim

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown have initialled a deed of settlement in recognition of their historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.

Te Whānau a Apanui have 12 hapū and a population of approximately 13,000 people, with its area of interest being between Hawai and Pōtikirua in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

“This is a significant day for Te Whānau a Apanui that brings them a step closer towards realising the aspirations of their people today for the generations to come,” Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little said.

“This deed reflects the importance and interconnectedness between the whenua (land), the wai (water) and the moana (sea) to Te Whanau a Apanui whakapapa and identity.

“The package recognises the centrality of hapū to Te Whānau a Apanui, and the importance of te ao tūroa (the natural world), including the Raukumara Range and surrounding moana.”

The deed includes a Crown apology, an agreed historical account as well as financial and cultural redress for historical breaches of Te Tiriti that caused harm to Te Whānau a Apanui.

The redress package includes —

The reservation of 5000 hectares of marine space for aquaculture.

More than $30 million in financial, cultural, and commercial redress.

Twelve sites of cultural significance.

Bespoke Te Ao Tūroa natural resource and conservation arrangements over the Raukūmara Range, including a joint conservation management strategy.

Takutai Moana rights which deliver on aspects of the 2008 Heads of Agreement signed under the former Foreshore and Seabed Act.

A joint relationship agreement with core Crown agencies.

“Negotiations between the Crown and Te Whānau a Apanui first began in 2004 under the former Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004,” Mr Little said.

“Te Whānau a Apanui will now consider the settlement package and whether to ratify the Te Whānau a Apanui Deed of Settlement.”