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A negotiator for Whakatohea says a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry means people will feel they have a chance to tell their stories
The tribunal has agreed to give priority to hearings, after the eastern Bay of Plenty iwi split over how the claim will proceed.
Maui Hudson says the $100 million offer negotiated so far is significant, and the crown has agreed to leave it on the table.
The Whakatohea Pre-settlement Clams Trust has also pushed for an inquiry, even if it ran alongside or after negotiations.
"The ability to tell stories is something the people have said is going to help with healing or the reconciliation process and so being able to have both of those things come about would be a positive outcome," Mr Hudson says.
Because the tribunal is suggesting a district inquiry rather than just an iwi inquiry, Ngāi Tai and Te Whānau a Apanui interests could also be included, but Whakatohea interests within Tūhoe and Tūranganui a Kiwa may be left out.
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