October 21, 2020
Tribunal rejects Whakatohea settlement block
The Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust says the Waitangi Tribunal's rejection of a requestion for an urgent hearing into continued negotiation is a step forward for the settlement.
Chair Graeme Riesterer says it means Whakatōhea rather than the tribunal can decide the merits of the settlement offer.
The crown has allowed claimants to put their grievances before North Eastern Bay of Plenty District Inquiry while the negotiations running parallel could continue after the conclusion of the Whakatōhea settlement – a first in the history of treaty settlements.
The Trust starts a new round of hui on November 2 to share progress on both the settlement package and the Post Settlement Governance Entity.
Mr Riesterer says the aim is to initial a Deed of Settlement and run the ratification process early in 2021.
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