February 03, 2013
Ngāti Kahu $260m settlement push rejected
The Waitangi Tribunal has rejected a bid by Far North iwi Ngāti Kahu to boost its treaty settlement at the expense of its Muriwhenua neighbours.
Ngāti Kahu walked out of combined negotiations and sought what is known as a resumption hearing, where the tribunal can use its powers to order the Crown to hand over land that had been transferred to state owned enterprises.
It asked for a total of $260 million in land and compensation, including former Crown properties now in private ownership.
The Tribunal found that while redress is long overdue, using binding orders would upset the fine balance of existing agreements and impending Treaty settlements of other Muriwhenua iwi.
It said what Ngāti Kahu sought was far in excess of settlements already achieved up and down the country.
The tribunal recommended a package including various forms of cultural redress, a commercial quantum based on a total figure of $42.518 million, and the return of a series of properties of significant commercial and cultural value within their rohe.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd