An Auckland tribal trustee says all New Zealanders will benefit from a relationship between Maori and the Crown to co-govern and manage natural resources.
The Ngati Whatua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill passed its third reading in parliament last week.
The tribe's settlement includes $22.1 million and the return of several sites of significance.
It also provides for a co-management agreement with the Department of Conservation over public conservation lands the tribe has interest in.
A trustee on the tribe's post settlement trust Nga Maunga Whakahi o Kaipara, Margaret Kawharu, said the provision of a co-governance arrangement is a reflection of iwi and Crown signatures on the Treaty of Waitangi.
She said it's about ensuring natural resources such as harbours are not polluted.
Ms Kawharu said people should not allow the harbour to be used and abused, and still expect to be able to catch fish there.
She said everyone will benefit from two principles: keeping the water clean enough to swim in and clean enough to gather kai, or food, from.
