30 Jan 2012

Te Rarawa holding hui to ratify Treaty settlement

6:34 am on 30 January 2012

Te Rarawa iwi in the Far North is holding a series of hui before deciding whether to ratify its proposed Treaty settlement.

It's the largest of five Muriwhenua tribes and stands to gain nearly $34 million, plus Crown assets which include two Landcorp farms.

The iwi will also have the right to co-govern Te Oneroa-a-Tohe (Ninety Mile Beach), in a joint arrangement with other Muriwhenua iwi and local councils.

Te Rarawa chairman Haami Piripi says it's been apparent at hui held so far, that some whanau fear the settlement will compromise their right to pursue a Maori sovereignty claim.

But he says that's not the case, as the sovereignty claim relates to the Declaration of Independence of 1835, and the proposed Te Rarawa settlement is for grievances arising after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.

The talks will continue throughout February with voting on the ratification closing on 25 February.