KEY POINTS:
Tuhoe's desire for self government and the return of Urewera National Park could prove sticking points in Treaty of Waitangi negotiations with the Crown, a Tuhoe leader says.
The North Island tribe and the Government took a historic step towards repairing their troubled relationship today, signing terms of negotiation for Tuhoe's treaty claims.
Over 400 iwi members travelled to Parliament to mark the signing of the terms, which set the ground rules for negotiations.
Relations with the Crown have historically been poor and hit a new low point last year with the arrest of several activists on firearms and related charges in the so-called "anti-terror raids".
Activist Tame Iti, who is awaiting trial for related firearms offences, was present today, issuing a challenge with a taiaha as part of the ceremonies and signing the terms on behalf of one of 64 Tuhoe hapu.
However, there was no ill feeling, with Iti and Dr Cullen giving each other a hongi on three separate occasions.
Afterwards Dr Cullen said the conduct of Iti, who also shredded a flag with a shotgun blast when Waitangi Tribunal members visited the Ruatoki in 2005, had been "impeccable".
Dr Cullen today said the negotiations, which he hoped would be completed within a year, were a first step towards addressing grievances.
"There is a long history here of land confiscation, executions, various other breaches by the Crown ... and this I think is a day when we can begin to move forward."
Claims included the loss of land and lives, the execution of unarmed prisoners during the New Zealand wars and the Crown's 1916 raid on Maungapohatu and arrest of Tuhoe prophet Rua Kenana.
Tamati Kruger, who is chairman of Te Kotahi A Tuhoe Trust, said the start of the formal negotiation process was historic and positive.
However, he said there would be some sensitive issues in negotiations that could create "unease" for the Crown.
"I think the tricky issues are around Tuhoe's desire and wish to have Te Urewera National Park regarded as part of our territory," he told reporters.
"The second one that would be difficult for the Crown would be discussions over self government, over mana motuhake and sovereignty. Those are very sensitive issues."
He said the police anti-terror raids was the latest example of a bad relationship between the tribe and the Crown.
"But I'm glad we've set a forum where we can review and improve and resolve those issues."
He said there was still work to be done to allay fears within Tuhoe that a settlement with the Crown was the best step forward for the tribe.
Tuhoe never signed the Treaty of Waitangi and the negotiation will be only the second time it has entered formal negotiations with the Crown.
Last month the tribe was part of the historic Treelords agreement, which signed over about $420 million in central North Island forestry assets to an iwi collective.
- NZPA
