Crown Signs Historic Deed of Settlement with Ngāti Ruapani for Te Urewera

The Crown and Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana have signed a Deed of Settlement at Tuai today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

After six years of negotiations we have reached a long-awaited agreement that acknowledges the past and looks to a stronger future.

It is a privilege to sign the Deed and deliver the Crown apology to Ngāti Ruapani in their rohe.

A key feature of the settlement is the return of Crown-owned land into Te  Urewera, reflecting a central aspiration of Ngāti Ruapani to restore their connection with Te Urewera.

The settlement includes an agreed historical account and redress for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi which caused significant harm to generations of Ngāti Ruapani.

The redress package includes: $24 million financial redress; Undivided half share of Patunamu Forestry Ltd; 4 commercial redress and 2 cultural redress properties; and Approximately 12,000 hectares of land added into Te Urewera.

While no settlement can fully remedy the injustices of the past, this agreement represents an important step forward. I hope it will support Ngāti Ruapani to achieve their cultural and economic aspirations for future generations to come.

Ngāti Ruapani are based in and around south Waikaremoana. The signing of this deed concludes settlement negotiations in Te Urewera.

A copy of the deed of settlement is available online at: Te Tari Whakatau - Ngāti Ruapani.