KEY POINTS:
The latest step in settling a Treaty claim covering much of Wellington was reached with the signing of a deed of settlement in Parliament yesterday.
The package includes land, $25 million and the right to purchase prime real estate in the central city.
Much of the deal has been previously outlined but yesterday it was revealed the settlement would include not only a Crown apology but also a statement of forgiveness from the Taranaki Whanui.
The Taranaki Whanui is a collective of Taranaki iwi (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngati Tama, Ngati Ruanui and Ngati Mutunga) whose ancestors migrated to Wellington in the 1820s and 1830s.
The iwi signed the Port Nicholson Block Deed of Purchase in 1839. It provided that 10 per cent of the land would be set aside for Maori, but this was later ignored. The collective has 16,500 beneficiaries.
The statement of forgiveness says the iwi acknowledge and forgive the Crown for its Treaty breaches, failure to protect their land and the harm done to them.
After the deed of settlement is ratified, it will be signed by both parties and then enacted through legislation.
Taranaki Whanui will receive the right to buy a portfolio of up to $120 million of Crown-owned land around Wellington, including some land that will be leased back to the Crown.
The Crown will also make a $5 million contribution to the costs of settling the claims.
This settlement will also reconcile the historical grievances of this iwi group in Wellington and Hutt Valley.
- NZPA
