KEY POINTS:
The Tuhoe and Tuwharetoa tribes will be among the bigger winners in this week's giant $500 million forestry settlement with the Government.
The Herald understands the two iwi are in line for just over half the payout, with 26 per cent of dividends and other assets going to Tuhoe and 25 per cent to Tuwharetoa.
The deal takes in 90 per cent of 170,000ha Kaingaroa Forest. Six other iwi will also benefit from the Central North Island collective deal.
Tuhoe's entitlement under the allocation formula will apply to about $250 million worth of accumulated rentals held by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, an annual licence income of $15 million and carbon credits.
Ngati Whakaue receives a 3.6 per cent return, Raukawa 14 per cent, Ngati Whare 4.7 per cent, Ngati Manawa 6 per cent and a confederation of Te Arawa hapu 15.6 per cent.
Ngati Rangitihi had secured a 3.6 per cent share and still may be a late signatory but internal politics means the hapu won't have ratified the deal by tomorrow, when the settlement deed is signed.
Actual tribal ownership to individual land titles across the forest hasn't been finalised but, with all land to be held in a holding company for 35 years, there is no pressing need to sort out that issue.
It is probable, however, that actual land titles will reflect the allocation breakdown.
Tuhoe spokesman Tamati Kruger said the deal was one for the record books and hundreds of tribal members were travelling to Wellington to witness the signing.
"They're quite excited. They see this as a historic occasion - because for more than a century we've done nothing but fight [the Crown]. So this is actually quite new."
With only 10 per cent of forest land left to settle, iwi who had "excluded themselves" from the deal were now scrambling to get in, Mr Kruger said.
"The 10 per cent that's left - it's like an overcrowded bus, it looks like there are those that are lining up.
"The Crown may find itself driving a bus with more passengers than seats."
Ngai Moewhare leader Maanu Paul has applied to the Maori Land Court for an injunction to kill the deal, alleging it amounts to "theft sanctioned by the Crown" by iwi such as Tuhoe and Tuwharetoa.
He claims his iwi and Ngati Whaoa are big losers as he says they are entitled to more than 60 per cent of the total Kaingaroa estate.
However, a similar application to the Waitangi Tribunal last week was unsuccessful and the Herald understands that although the injunction request will be studied, a full hearing won't occur before the signing. A spokesman for Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen said the bid would not affect the ceremony.
