Base land could go to iwi

Six to seven hectares of Base Woodbourne could be included in a Treaty deal that would give ownership to some top of the south iwi.

The land has been declared surplus by the defence force and offered to three iwi, Rangitane, Ngati Apa and Ngati Kuia – known collectively as Kurahaupo.

The iwi previously said they had ancestral ties to the land currently under the housing estate, covering about 29ha, and the golf course, on about 27ha.

The iwi will be able to buy and lease back land still required for defence force operations and also buy any land outside of the six to seven hectares that the force may deem surplus to its needs.

A Government-ordered defence review announced earlier this year proposed the sale of some defence properties to the private sector, with agreements to lease them back to the military.

But Rangitane development manager Richard Bradley said that since the announcement that some of the land could be sold to iwi as part of a $128.4 million Crown land package, not much had changed.

"They've indicated they've accepted that, in principle, the iwi have the option to purchase it."

Details on what area or areas of the base were surplus to the defence force's needs would depend on the results of the review and Mr Bradley said little would be known until Christmas.

"The negotiations haven't really started; it's just been offered as an option."Air Force senior communications adviser Anna Sussmilch said a decision about what land would go to each of the three groups was still to be made.

Kurahaupo signed an agreement in principle with the Crown in February as part of a settlement with all eight top of the south iwi.

All members of iwi involved in the settlement will be able to vote on whether to accept the Crown's offer.

The draft deeds of Rangitane and Ngati Apa were released last week and that of Ngati Kuia this week.

Deeds of settlement between the other iwi, Ngati Koata, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama, Ngati Toa and Te Atiawa, are expected to be finalised over the next few months.

- The Marlborough Express