Bills putting in place three more treaty settlements had their first readings during extended sitting hours this morning.
The Tauranga Moana Iwi Collective Redress and Nga Hapu o Ngati Ranginui Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngati Pukenga Claims Settlement Bill cover the claims of iwi around Tauranga Harbour,
The Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa Claims Settlement Bill covers the area between the Whangaroa and Mangonui Harbours in the Far North.
This puts the vexed issues of Stony Creek Station, which is currently being occupied by a dissident faction of the tribe, into the hands of the post-settlement governance entity.
The Kahukura Ariki Trust will conduct an open process across Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa to determine the future ownership of the former Lands and Survey farm.
The bills were referred to the Maori Affairs Committee.
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