August 18, 2017
Whakatohea gets $100m settlement offer
The chair of the Whakatohea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust says today’s signing of a Agreement in Principle is an important milestone.
The $100 million on offer is far more than the $40 million deal rejected by the eastern Bay of Plenty iwi 20 years ago, and includes specific funding for te reo revitalisation, education endowments and the development of Whakatohea’s reserves.
Graeme Riesterer says the kaumatua 20 years ago struggled to achieve a settlement, and today’s generation owes it to them to complete the journey.
The trust still faces a challenge to its mandate from several hapu, which will be considered by the Waitangi tribunal later this year.
The crown also signed an agreement in principle with Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua for a $7 million settlement.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson says the majority of the Ngati Whatua historical claims have been settled through settlements with Orakei, Kaipara, Te Uri o Hau and Te Roroa.
Today’s agreement, together with the Kaipara Harbour Framework Agreement signed in 2014, focuses on resolving all outstanding historical claims of the iwi.
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