Te Aupouri signs $21m Treaty settlement

Te Aupouri celebrated a $21 million Treaty of Waitangi settlement today, bringing a collective agreement for the Far North a step closer.

A Maori shared guardianship role over Ninety Mile Beach would be part of an eventual collective settlement.

The Aupouri people signed the Deed of Settlement with the Crown at Potahi Marae in Te Kao.

Te Aupouri is the first of four iwi - which also includes Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto and Ngati Kuri - to sign an individual agreement.

The individual redress included $21 million and the return of Te Arai conservation land.

A final collective settlement will give Maori and local council authorities co-governance of 90 Mile Beach.

Haami Piripi, who is negotiating the collective agreement, said the settlement is a long time coming.

"Up here in the North we've had generations of claimants. Some of our forebearers were born into the pursuit of these claims.

"Hopefully it will lead the way into the next stage of our development."

More than 95 per cent of Te Aupouri community supported the deal.

Iwi will celebrate the signing at a three-day Tu Ake Te Aupouri festival this weekend.

Te Rarawa and Ngai Takoto are also in the final stages of reaching a Treaty of Waitangi settlmenent with the Crown. 

- © Fairfax NZ News