Maori claim airspace and water

Rotorua Lakefront business owners are nervously awaiting the outcome of a Te Arawa claim over the water and airspace above the lakebeds it owns.

The local iwi owns 13 of Rotorua's lakebeds, having negotiated with the Government in 2006 for the lakes' titles, a formal apology and about $10 million compensation.

It also received a quota of fishing licences.

Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman Toby Curtis has been reported as saying that although the iwi had settled Te Arawa's claims over the lakes, the issue of water ownership was to be negotiated at a later date.

That time has now arrived, despite the previous settlement, Mr Curtis said.

Two other tribes have negotiated claims over waterways in their rohe (boundaries). Tuwharetoa negotiated a deal on Lake Taupo which included a $10 million lump sum payment and annual payments as well as the right to licence commercial users of the lake.

Late last year, Tainui signed a draft deal to co-management of the Waikato River, which was 10 years after it finalised a Treaty settlement with the Government worth $70 million for past grievances.

The tribe's water claim is still to be finalised.

Mr Curtis said these tribes had been given mana over water in the lake and river and Te Arawa wants ownership of the water and air space above the lakebeds it owns. He said Te Arawa would lodge a Treaty claim.

No claim has been made to the Waitangi Tribunal.

No one from the Te Arawa Lakes Trust returned calls to the Daily Post about the issue.

Some lake business operators are nervous, others are waiting for the outcome of any claim.

One business operator, who doesn't wish to be identified for fear of retaliation, isn't impressed with the move.

She is concerned it could end up costing businesses in the future.

"It is the ultimate greed. Where does this all start and where does it all end," she asked.

Mana Adventures owner Donna Solomon, of Te Arawa, said she wasn't concerned about the move.

She believes the trust will work closely with businesses if they do gain ownership or co-management roles from the Government.

"It's interesting because I am of Te Arawa descent myself. From discussions I have heard from different people around the place, the trust is keen to work with any businesses operating on the lakes," she said.

Mrs Solomon said they were already paying for the use of the lake to the Rotorua District Council.

Lakeland Queen owner Warren Harford said he knew nothing about the trust's possible claim.

However, he was sure it wouldn't have too much affect on Lakefront business owners.

"We already pay the council a licence fee to operate at the Lakefront," he said.

Office of Treaty Settlements director Paul James said the Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act prevented the Waitangi Tribunal or any other court from hearing or deciding on any Te Arawa historical claim prior to 1992 concerning the lakes it has ownership of.