Former National MP Tau Henare has been roped in to help the Crown and two East Coast tribes to outline what the iwi want from their Treaty claims.
Tau Henare. Photo: NZ GOVERNMENT
Mr Henare said he had been asked by the Office of Treaty Settlements to facilitate discussions to help the karauna (Crown), and Te Whanau a Apanui and Te Whakatohea.
The former cabinet Minister met with Te Whanau a Apanui last week.
The tribe's chief executive Rikirangi Gage said the discussion was good.
Mr Gage said that through its Treaty settlement, it wanted the Government to create laws, which protected its rights to the takutai moana (the foreshore and seabed).
He made it clear that his tribe had the mana over its area.
Mr Gage said the words of the Treaty of Waitangi embodied the rights of hapu and iwi to their resources and treasures.
He said the late Ngati Porou leader, Apirana Mahuika, opened the door for his tribe to begin direct talks with the Government.
He said his iwi had been talking to the Crown for about 10 years about its rights to the takutai moana.
