Te Arawa agrees to claim terms

A last-minute attempt at disruption by a small group of vocal protesters failed to halt the signing of a historic agreement between Te Arawa and the Government.

At Rotorua's Wahiao Marae, a group representing Te Arawa agreed with the Government terms of negotiation over the tribe's huge central North Island claim.

The claim, formerly known as the Volcanic Interior Plateau claim, includes huge chunks of the central North Island, speculated to be worth as much as $500 million.

But it now looks likely to be a much smaller claim, after the official withdrawal of Ngati Whakaue from the process.

Ngati Whakaue is the single largest tribe within Te Arawa, representing more than a quarter of its members.

The tribe says it has lost confidence in the process and will seek settlement through the Waitangi Tribunal instead of direct talks with the Government.

Protesters who interrupted the hui on Friday jostled with members of the Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa executive council, elected by Te Arawa members to represent them.

They objected to not being given the opportunity to pass on documents stating some hapu did not want to be represented by the council.

Three hapu - Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Rangiteaorere and Ngati Wahiao - wanted to halt the signing.

A spokeswoman for the protesters, Te Runanga o Ngati Rangiteaorere chairwoman Kiri Potaka-Dewes, said all hapu had a right to have their claims dealt with individually and the group did not recognise the council as its representative.

Ngati Rangiwewehi spokesman Te Ururoa Flavell said the hapu wanted to negotiate its own deal, despite being listed in the newly signed document.

But Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said it could be some time before the Government could hear individual claims.

They would be dealt with once Te Arawa's claim was settled.

- NZPA