By REBECCA DEVINE in Rotorua
The Government has moved to quash fears that a "high level relationship agreement" in the Te Arawa lakes settlement will see the Rotorua tribe get rights over the airspace and water.
A spokeswoman for Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said yesterday the airspace and water above the 13 lakebeds included in the settlement would remain in public ownership.
In December, Te Arawa noted that the offer made by the Government included a unique feature - a "high level relationship agreement" between the tribe and the Government regarding the airspace and water above the lakebeds.
It pointed out that neither Tuwharetoa nor Ngai Tahu had managed to get a similar agreement.
But according to the Government, the agreement simply refers to how the two parties will work together.
There was "never, ever, ever any inference or reference" that the Rotorua tribe would be entitled to own the airspace above the lakes, the spokeswoman for Ms Wilson said.
"It has always been about the lakebed."
Mayor Grahame Hall said he was pleased and relieved to hear that the airspace would remain in public ownership.
"I think it is immensely more sensible than trying to give them [Te Arawa] rights."
Lakes Protection Society chairman Mike McVicker said the clarification "doesn't change the picture at all".
He said the concern was still over what would happen in the future, in the light of claims now being made by Tuwharetoa over whether they could charge for airspace over Lake Taupo.
National Party leader Don Brash also continued to criticise the deal yesterday, saying there was confusion over exactly what was being offered to Te Arawa.
It appeared the deal announced in December was still being negotiated.
"Today we are told there is still fine-tuning."
Members of Te Arawa have still not received a final settlement document.
It is understood the final deal will be initialled next week, after which registered members of the tribe will vote on the settlement.
The ratification process is expected to be completed by December.
The Te Arawa Maori Trust Board did not return calls yesterday and has so far refused to talk about the issue.
Several members of the tribe, who did not want to be named, told The Daily Post they were disappointed the board had not spoken out.
They were also concerned that members had not received detailed information about the negotiation process.
Meanwhile, the Rotorua District Council, Environment Bay of Plenty and Te Arawa have signed an historical agreement that allows the Government to put legislation in place that sets up a group that will oversee management of the lakes.
Te Arawa had initially hoped its representatives would make up half the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group, but eventually agreed to two representatives from each organisation.
The group will receive its special legal status once royal assent has been granted to the proposed legislation that will allow the Government's settlement with Te Arawa to go ahead.
Te Arawa 'won't own airspace'
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