Crown Reaches Agreement in Principle to Settle Ngai Tai Treaty Claims

The Crown has signed an agreement in principle to settle the historical Treaty claims of Ngai Tai, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

This is a significant step in the settlement process, since Ngai Tai submitted their first claims over 150 years ago. Negotiations towards a comprehensive deed of settlement will follow shortly.

It includes a substantial package of conservation land, financial and commercial redress of $12 million and the reservation of marine space for Ngai Tai to apply for aquaculture resource consents.

The Crown acknowledges that as a result of its acts and omissions, Ngai Tai suffered loss of their land and the consequential impacts on them as a people. The agreement in principle is a step in the process of the Crown addressing these acts and omissions.

Ngai Tai is an iwi based around Tōrere in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

The Whakaaetanga Matua – Agreement in Principle outlines the proposed settlement with Ngai Tai. Details of the settlement will be negotiated in the coming months.

A copy of the agreement in principle is available online at: Te Tari Whakatau - Ngai Tai