The financial and commercial redress of the proposed settlement was now close to $180 million. Other courses of redress included transferring significant sites to the iwi; changing names of certain geographic features and government agencies forming relationship agreements with Maniapoto. The settlement also offered opportunities to explore how the iwi can have greater input into decisions relating to waterways. Maniapoto Māori Trust Board Chairman Keith Ikin said it was a time for reflection and recognition of past generations.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Andrew Little, initialled the deed on behalf of the Crown. “This really goes back to the time of our tūpuna, people like Rewi Maniapoto, Taonui Hikaka, Te Wahanui Reihana Te Huatare, through to the many generations of the past 30 years, to the past five years of Treaty negotiations.”