1 Aug 2013

Treaty settlement bills progress through House

2:10 pm on 1 August 2013

Parliament is using extended hours to progress Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation.

Three bills unanimously passed their first readings in the house on Thursday morning and a third was being debated.

The first to pass its first reading was the Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill.

The legislation is a deed between 13 iwi and hapu in the Auckland area, and would provide redress for shared interests in volcanic cones and other regional assets.

The Maungaharuru-Tangitu Hapu Claims Settlement Bill settles historical claims with the Hawke's Bay-based hapu.

It includes compensation of $23 million and the return of culturally significant properties such as part of Opouahi Station and Scenic Reserve and the Te Pohue Domain Recreational Reserve.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson told Parliament the bill is the result of several years hard work.

A third bill, the Nga Punawai o Te Tokotoru Settlement Bill, settles historical claims of three Rotorua iwi.