Hui fails to heal split

A split is on the cards for two East Coast iwi over a fishing settlement.

Rongomaiwahine fisheries negotiators say they will withdraw from Ngati Kahungunu after failing to resolve a long-running dispute.

Lawyer for Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust (RIT), Willie Te Aho, said the "unnecessary recognition of the Ngati Kahungunu Iwi boundary" and resourcing issues had all but ended hopes for a proposed fisheries settlement.

Under the proposal, RIT was to receive $2.257 million in cash and immediate use of three tonnes of fishing quota, which included all of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) entitlements in the Mahia region, and cash to set up a fisheries company.

RIT was also to receive ownership of five further tonnes of fishing quota by the year 2011/2012.

In exchange, RIT was not to withdraw from NKII and had to meet conditions over money and quota received.

But a meeting failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion for either party and Rongomaiwahine will now proceed with its withdrawal from Ngati Kahungunu.

Ngati Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said despite the disappointment Ngati Kahungunu were still open to further negotiations. He said both iwi had been in discussion over the issue in at least 30 hui.

- NZPA