Iwi endorses $32.5m and cultural sites settlement

12:55 pm on 29 July 2016

Wairarapa iwi Rangitāne has endorsed a Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiated with the Crown.

Lead Negotiator Jason Kerehi and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson, initialling the Deed of Settlement.

Lead Negotiator Jason Kerehi and Minister Chris Finlayson initialled the Deed of Settlement in May. Photo: Supplied

Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua has confirmed member support for the settlement.

The settlement was approved by Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson and Minister for Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell.

It will provide financial redress of $32.5 million and the transfer to iwi of seven Crown-owned sites of cultural significance, including Ngāumu forest.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre and scenic reserve would be handed to the iwi, who would return it to the people of New Zealand and co-manage the reserve with the Department of Conservation.

Iwi ratified the settlement after a series of hui and it will be signed at a ceremony in Dannevirke on 6 August.

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