Lakes agreement a step nearer

Ten months after agreeing in principle to end a century of debate over the ownership of Rotorua's lakes, the Government and Te Arawa have finally thrashed out the details of a possible settlement.

In a low-key ceremony on Friday, representatives of the tribe and the Government initialled a 190-page agreement which outlines how the lakes would be managed in the future.

The Government announced in December it was prepared to transfer the ownership of 14 lakebeds to Te Arawa, and pay the tribe $10 million compensation.

The lakes affected are Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu, Rotoma, Okataina, Tikitapu, Okareka, Tarawera, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Ngahewa, Ngapouri and Tutaeinanga.

Lake Okaro has since been excluded. However, Te Arawa is still keen to take over the lake, which is owned by the Rotorua District Council and administered as a recreation reserve, and the Government has agreed to encourage the council to reach a "mutually satisfactory arrangement" with the tribe.

The offer has proved politically tricky for the Government, amid a national debate over whether Maori should be allowed to own the foreshore and seabed.

It specifically excludes the Ohau Channel, the water and air above the lakebeds, any aquatic life in the lakes except lakebed plants, and any existing structures in or on the lakebeds.

It guarantees the public the right to continue to use the lakes free of charge for recreational activities such as swimming, boating, water-skiing and fishing, and local government will continue to be responsible for issues such as removing and controlling lakeweed and rubbish.

However, Te Arawa will have two members on a six-member Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group that will oversee management of the lakes.

A detailed "relationship agreement" outlines how the Government and Te Arawa will handle applications for new commercial activities or structures.

If a new structure is on a lakebed, they are required to reach an agreement. But if the lakebeds are not affected, the Government is only required to consult Te Arawa.

The Government has also agreed to change various place names, subject to the approval of the New Zealand Geographic Board.

They include alternative Maori names for several well-known areas, such as Te Rotorua nui a Kahumatamomoe (Lake Rotorua), Waerenga (Mission Bay), Waikawau (Hannah's Bay), Waingaehe (Holden's Bay) and Te Moana i kaitaina a Te Rangitakaroro (Lake Okataina).

Te Arawa want the Blue Lake to be known as Tikitapu instead of Lake Tikitapu; Kennedy Bay at Lake Rotoehu is to become Ngamimiro Bay; and Parimata Bay at Lake Okataina is to become Paremata Bay.

At Lake Rotoma, Whakarewarewa Lagoon is to become Whakarewa Lagoon, while Whangaroa Bay is to become Whangaroa Inlet. At Lake Tarawera, Te Hirau Bay is to become Te Hinau Bay.

At Lake Rotorua, Awahou Point is to become Te Awahou Point, and Pohue Bay is to become Te Pohue Bay.

The offer, agreed to by the Cabinet last week, also includes an apology and acknowledgement of historical wrongs.

The tribe will hold hui to discuss the offer, before voting on it. If ratified, the settlement is expected to be signed before Christmas, then special legislation will be enacted.

- NZPA