It's an historic day for Ngati Kuri in the Far North as the iwi signs a Treaty settlement with the Crown.
The signing is taking place at Te Rerenga Wairua, which in Maoridom is the last place where spirits go before departing this world.
By 1890, land transactions by the Crown stripped Ngati Kuri of two thirds of its land. Compulsory purchases continued until the 1950s.
As part of its compensation, Ngati Kuri will receive $21 million.
It will use some of that money to buy a share of Aupouri Crown Forest Land, Te Paki Station and two school properties, which will be leased back to the Crown.
About 6000 people affiliate to Ngati Kuri.
Iwi Trust Board chairman Harry Burkhardt said the Crown will finally acknowledge Ngati Kuri as an iwi with its own mana whenua and through the apology and the signing, the tribes mana will be restored.
He said the main thing for the iwi is the whenua, and the mana.
Mr Burkhardt said the iwi will give the Crown a taonga moeahu (sperm whale jaw bone) to symbolise a renewed relationship.
