A Bill to settle Moriori claims has passed its first reading.

The Bill will put into law the settlement signed 12 months ago, which will include a Crown apology for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, the transfer of lands of cultural and spiritual significance to Moriori on Rēkohu (Chatham Island) and Rangihaute (Pitt Island), and $18 million in financial redress.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says no settlement package could ever fully compensate Moriori who suffered such a magnitude of loss and prejudice, but the Crown hopes it will go some way to atone for past injustices.

He says it heralds a new relationship between Moriori and the Crown based on cooperation, mutual trust, and respect for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles.

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