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Tuhoe negotiator Tamati Kruger says the iwi's $170 treaty settlement lays the foundation to express its tino rangatiratanga.
Mr Kruger credited Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson with getting the settlement through Cabinet, after earlier stumbles over Prime Minister John Key refusing to return the land wrongly taken for Urewera National Park.
He says the minister is focusing on the impact of settlements on Maori communities.
"He understands that tino rangatiratanga means not being dependent, not being a whinger, not being a beneficiary – people wanting to do their own thing. He says that's good in every way that you look at it. If that means not being dependent on the Crown and being responsible, he regards that as glorious rather than evil," says Tamati Kruger.
Tamati Kruger says Ngai Tuhoe is not separatist, but it has been excluded from having influence in its region.
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