Tainui thrashing out coastal treaty details with Government

By JON STOKES maori affairs reporter

Tainui has moved closer to resolving its outstanding treaty claims, including those covering the west coast harbours, after meeting the Government at its Hopuhopu headquarters.

The meeting was held just kilometres from a hui at Turangawaewae Marae, where more than 1000 people voiced strong opposition to the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation.

Office of treaty claims director Andrew Hampton confirmed that he met Lady Raiha Mahuta, mother of Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta, and tribal lawyers to discuss the tribe's outstanding claims.

He said it was the second meeting between the groups since Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and a team of ministers visited the Waikato last month to try to convince Tainui that the foreshore and seabed bill would not impact on its claims.

"We have had two very good meetings. There has been a lot of very good work done - led by Lady Mahuta."

He denied that progress in resolving Tainui's outstanding claims that have remained unresolved since its historic 1995 Raupatu settlement had been influenced by a bid to curry favour for the Government's unpopular foreshore and seabed legislation.

"The Crown have always accepted the need to address their [Tainui's] outstanding claims."

Tainui settled its land confiscation claims in 1995 but claims to the Waikato River and the Manukau, Raglan, Kawhia and Aotea harbours and a number of land blocks are yet to be settled.

This month Nanaia Mahuta threatened the Government's slender majority when she looked set to leave after crossing the floor at the first reading of the foreshore and seabed bill - legislation she said required "solutions found in the Treaty of Waitangi".

It is understood she demanded Government concessions for Tainui to keep her ongoing support.