December 23, 2021
Whakatōhea initials deed of settlement
East Coast iwi Te Whakatōhea initialled its deed of settlement today in a ceremony at Terere Marae in Ōpōtiki attended by Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little.
Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust chair Graeme Riesterer says after carrying the settlement for more than 30 years, his generation hopes it no longer remains a weight on the shoulders of their tamariki and mokopuna, but instead they will have a taonga to treasure and take care of.
He says it will allow the iwi to build on existing developments in its rohe, such as its offshore mussel farm.
If members ratify the $100 million settlement, the iwi will receive a further 5000ha of marine space – the first time marine space has been recognised in a settlement package – as well as almost 7000 hectares of cultural redress properties, 18 commercial properties, and relationship agreements with crown agencies.
The path to settlement was cleared by this month’s release of a Waitangi Tribunal report confirming the fairness of a unique parallel process under which the settlement can be completed while a tribunal inquiry into Eastern Bay of Plenty claims including those of Te Whakatohea continues.