Seven Hawke's Bay hapu are on their way towards settling their claims for historical Treaty of Waitangi breaches.
Napier's Ahuriri Hapu has signed an Agreement in Principle at Parliament.
One area of discussion with the Crown will be Te Whanganui a Orotu, a lagoon named after the people's ancestor - Te Orotu.
The Office of Treaty Settlements has been told the lagoon was coveted as an important food resource necessary for the the survival of people and creatures.
The Crown acknowledges that Te Whanganui a Orotu, and the islands in it, were prized taonga of Ahuriri Hapu.
As part of its redress, the sub-tribe will be given $500,000 to help manage the Ahuriri Estuary.
Elsewhere, the settlement will ensure the hapu have first right of refusal to buy a stake in Hawke's Bay Airport, should the Crown decide to sell its shareholding.
As part of its cultural redress, the Ahuriri Hapu will receive $15,000 to put up pouwhenua, or interpretation panels.
The sub-tribes will also become a member of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council Joint Planning Committee.
The next step in the negotiation process is for both parities to sign a Deed of Settlement.
