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Download AudioWhakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust chair Graeme Reisterer expects the signing of the tribe’s historic treaty to be a bitter-sweet day.
The signing and formal apology for the confiscation of Whakatohea land and war waged on its people will take place in Opotiki on May 27, 183 years to the day Te Whakatohea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi there.
The $100 million settlement includes 5000 hectares of marine space and 6000 hectares of land.
Mr Riesterer says the claim has been a 30-year marathon that divided the iwi.
“So it will be a big relief for many people. But in that, we will be remembering all of those people who have passed. And there are people that spent so much of their life trying to work towards a settlement for Whakatohea,” he says.
Graeme Riesterer says those people will be officially honoured at the ceremony, and Te Whakatohea must work harder than ever for unity.
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