Maori gather for historic return of Rotorua lakes

Hundreds of people are expected at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua this weekend for the signing of an agreement that will return the region's lakes to Te Arawa.

The event comes exactly a year after the Government made an offer to settle the tribe's grievances concerning 14 lakes.

Lake Okaro has since been excluded from the deal.

The ownership wrangle began in 1907, when Manihera Teumatahi was fined £5 for fishing without a licence.

A year later, Te Arawa made its first claim concerning the use of the main lakes, taking its case to the Native Land Commission.

The debate was settled in 1922 with the signing of the Fenton Agreement, which gave Te Arawa an annuity of £6000 ($12,000). This was increased to $18,000 in 1977.

In 1987, the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board lodged a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal with a Deed of Mandate to negotiate a lakes settlement on behalf of the iwi.

Last December, the board was offered a $10 million package that included an apology for grievances between Te Arawa and the Crown.

The signing of the settlement will take place at Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa.

- NZPA