Iwi to get, then give, Little Barrier

Little Barrier Island as seen from Pakiri. File photo / NZH

Most of Little Barrier Island will return briefly to iwi ownership as part of a $9 million Treaty settlement.

Ngati Manuhiri is going through a ratification process this week with tribal members - if agreed upon, sources say a deed which would need to go to Parliament could be signed by mid-May or June.

Although comparatively small, the settlement is important as it is one of the first in the north, and is part of a wave of expected deals to be completed before 2014.

The island, known as Hauturu, is a protected nature reserve which the Department of Conservation rates as one of the last remnants of primeval New Zealand. Visitors need a permit to land.

Under the deal the Crown will vest a Ngati Manuhiri governance entity with fee simple title to the island. Its status as a nature reserve will be maintained and seven days later it will be gifted back to the Crown.

However 1.2ha will remain in the tribe's ownership. That could lead to a marae or other facility which gives the iwi a physical foothold on the island being built.

It will be vested in the name of Rahui Te Kiri who, with her husband, Tenetahi Pouhuehue Te Heru, was forcibly removed from the island in 1896 after it was compulsorily acquired by the Crown and deemed a reserve a year earlier.

Other components of the deal include:

The purchase of South Mangawhai Forest, Warkworth District Court and Pakiri School using the $9 million Crown settlement. After the transactions, the tribe will receive a balance of nearly $2.5 million.

Rights of first refusal over Crown property for 169 years after the deal is done.

A requirement that DoC and Auckland conservancy will have particular regard to a "statement" of Ngati Manuhiri values and protection principles when considering general policy or a conservation document and will consult the tribe's governanceentity.

Acknowledgment of the tribe's traditional association with Mt Tamahunga, the summit of which is to be returned, Goat Island Scientific Reserve, Ngaroto Lakes and Kawau Island historic reserve.

Return of the Pakiri block conservation area subject to a conservation covenant.

The Treaty Negotiations Minister to encourage a memorandum of understanding with the Auckland Council.

Ngati Manuhiri lead negotiator Mook Hohneck was "confident" that a high percentage of about 1200 iwi members would support the deal.

DoC declined to comment on the settlement.