27 May 2013

Reaching Treaty settlement can be challenging: iwi leader

7:02 pm on 27 May 2013

The leader of a lower North Island iwi which has settled its treaty claim says reaching settlement can be challenging and is not helped by Crown staff turnover.

Ngati Toa signed its deed of settlement in December.

The package includes an apology, cultural redress and a payment of $70 million.

The Crown will also introduce unique legislation to acknowledge the significance of the haka Ka Mate as a taonga to Ngati Toa Rangatira and an integral part of the tribe's history, culture and identity.

Chair of Te Runanga o Ngati Toa Rangatira, Taku Parai, says negotiating a treaty settlement can be difficult, as many iwi would know.

He says it can take many years to negotiate a settlement, and over that time government officials come and go, and it can sometimes feel as though negotiations go back a few steps because new officials have to catch up with what's been discussed.

Despite these difficulties, Mr Parai says the tribe has a good relationship with the Crown.