22 Sep 2011

Signing marks 'milestone' for Hawke's Bay hapu

6:46 pm on 22 September 2011

The Crown has agreed in principle to settle historic Treaty of Waitangi claims with a Hawke's Bay hapu.

Maungaharuru-Tangitu was subjected to extensive land confiscations in the Mohaka/Waikare area in the late 1860s and its people were wrongfully detained after military conflict with the Crown.

The Government says they've reached a significant milestone by signing an agreement in principle on Thursday afternoon that sets out a broad redress package for the claims.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told the hapu the settlement would include $23 million in financial and commercial redress to help restore the economic base of its people.

He says the Crown is unable fully to compensate the subtribe for what was taken, but the redress reflects the hapu's aspirations to restore the prominence of its four aka, or areas.

The Crown will now work towards a deed of settlement with the hapu.