Crown signs settlement for historical Treaty claims

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson. Photo / NZ Herald

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Ngati Koroki Kahukura at Maungatautari marae near Cambridge.

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson said the actions of the Crown led to the economic, social, environmental and cultural degradation of Ngati Koroki Kahukura and their physical and spiritual resources.

The settlement includes financial and commercial redress of $3 million.

"It also vests the Crown-owned Maungatautari scenic reserve in the Maungatautari Community."

Waipa District Council will continue to administer the reserve and there will be no impact on the Maungatautari Ecological Island conservation project.

"Initialling a deed of settlement with Ngati Koroki Kahukura is an important step towards settling all historical grievances in the Waikato region and New Zealand as a whole," said Mr Finlayson.

This is the 10th deed of settlement signed by the Crown and iwi this year. The settlement will be given effect through legislation.