Crown apology and title to 13 lakebeds in settlement

A Treaty of Waitangi claim between the Crown and Te Arawa was settled last night, after a bill relating to lakes around Rotorua was passed.

The Te Arawa Lakes Settlement bill passed 69 to 50 with National, Act and two Maori Party MPs voting against it.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Mark Burton said the bill provided for the transfer of settlement assets and other redress agreed in the 2004 Deed of Settlement, and the full and final settlement of Te Arawa's historical Treaty of Waitangi claims in relation to the lakes.

The settlement package includes a Crown apology and cultural redress including title to 13 lakebeds in the Rotorua area, although the Crown will continue to own the water and airspace above.

It also includes financial redress of $2.7 million and annuity redress of $7.3 million.

The bill means the end of the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board, set up in 1924.

The board will be replaced by the Te Arawa Lakes Trust, which will manage the settlement.

"The Te Arawa Lakes settlement is this Government's eighth settlement bill since 2000," said Mr Burton.

"Three settlement bills passed into law last year alone, and I anticipate another three settlement bills will be introduced this year."

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said the settlement was "stupid".

"What is this thing called a lake if it does not contain any water?" he asked during the final debate.

He said Te Arawa had been left with polluted lakes and the Crown had abdicated responsibility.

The Maori Party was split in its views on the bill because of the desire of Te Arawa to settle.

"But I will never agree to the processes of the Crown and its behaviour of belittling us and treating us with contempt," Mr Flavell said.

- NZPA