The Government has not ruled out the prospect of multiple iwi owners for some of Auckland's most prominent landmarks, including One Tree Hill.
Office of Treaty Settlements policy and negotiations manager Rachel Houlbrooke said yesterday that the proposed return of landmarks such as One Tree Hill, Mt Edenand Mt Roskill exclusively to Ngati Whatua o Orakei was not guaranteed.
Her admission came on day three of an urgent Waitangi tribunal hearing into claims by six iwi and hapu who believe the Crown dealt unfairly with them in its handling of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei claim covering the Auckland region.
Ms Houlbrooke said an agreement in principle, signed with Ngati Whatua o Orakei in June last year, was a proposal only and further negotiations with cross claimants were among requirements before a Deed of Settlement could be reached. She said other settlements had been amended following negotiations with cross claimants, including those reached for Te Arawa, Ngati Tama and Ngati Awa.
Iwi including Marutuahu, Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Te Ata, say they have cultural and historical links to the sites named in the proposal and oppose their exclusive return to Ngati Whatua o Orakei.
Criticism of the Office of Treaty Settlements and its procedures dominated yesterday's hearing.
Paul Majurey, lawyer for Marutuahu, questioned why Ngati Whatua o Orakei was allowed to enter direct negotiations with the Crown while other groups were not.
Ms Houlbrooke said the tribe was the only one to meet office requirements and willing to enter negotiations.
