Treaty Negotiation Minister Chris Finlayson has accepted a challenge from a Far North iwi to work through issues left unresolved in its Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
The Crown and Te Rarawa iwi on Sunday signed a package worth up to $70 million to settle the iwi's Treaty claims.
But just before the signing, Te Rarawa laid down a taonga symbolising the new relationship with the Crown and an agreement to keep negotiating in good faith.
Chair Haami Piripi says the patu (whale bone club) called Te Whakapumautanga, or the promise keeper, was a reminder to Mr Finlayson that there are present-day matters still to be sorted.
He said there are still claims over matters such as water, flora and fauna as well as the foreshore and seabed that need to be settled.
Mr Piripi said Mr Finlayson picked up the patu - in acceptance of the challenge.
The settlement deal includes two former Landcorp farms; Crown forest land and a cash transfer of $33 million.
Te Rarawa was the second iwi after a smaller Far North tribe, Ngai Takoto, to sign a Deed of Settlement at the weekend.
