Crown and Tainui sign revised river settlement

Waikato Tainui and the Crown today signed a revised deed of settlement relating to the clean-up and environmental management of the Waikato River.

The initial deal was signed last year under the Labour government and involved a $210 million settlement being provided to clean up and provide ongoing governance of the river and surrounding environment over 30 years.

It would have led to several co-management boards taking charge of improving the river, an arrangement the National Government considered would be cumbersome and inefficient.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said the revised deal provided for a Waikato River Authority to be responsible for monitoring the implementation of a direction-setting document. The authority would have five appointees from the Crown and one representative from each of five river iwi involved.

Tainui co-negotiators Tukuroirangi Morgan and Lady Raiha Mahuta said the key was to ensure the integrity of the initial settlement was protected and enhanced.

Lady Mahuta said a lot of time had been spent making sure that happened.

"I'm confident this gives us a better starting point," she said.

"Waikato Tainui trusts that other river iwi are able to benefit from this enhanced model."

Raukawa and Te Arawa also sign today, while Maniapoto will sign later in the month and Ngati Tuwharetoa next year.

The Government will next year progress the legislation required to implement the settlement.

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