Iwi accuses Crown of underhand tactics

5:34 pm on 29 December 2016

A Tauranga iwi accuses the Crown of being underhanded over a treaty settlement. It says it is creating grievances rather than settling them.

Paora Stanley

Tauranga's Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley. Photo: RNZ / Justine Murray

A Hauraki collective, made up of 12 iwi, had their Deed of Settlement initialled by the Crown just before Christmas.

Tauranga's Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley said the settlement would allow Hauraki iwi rights to Tauranga Harbour.

He says Ngāi Te Rangi asked for information for several months, but was notified two days before the signing.

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson said he was confident Tauranga iwi were part of Hauraki treaty settlement discussions that affected the Tauranga Moana.

Mr Stanley said issues around overlapping claims needed to be resolved because the problem appeared to be widespread.

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