Media statement 26 June 2008

A step closer to the finish line for Wellington iwi

For immediate use

“A step closer to the finish line.” is how the Chief Negotiator of the Port Nicholson Block Claims Team has described today’s initialling of a Deed of Settlement to settle treaty claims in Wellington.

Today the Crown and the Port Nicholson Block Claims Team initialled the document at Parliament to settle historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika.

Claims covered by the Deed of Settlement include those relating to the loss of land and loss of social, economic and cultural opportunities. Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika also suffered in the nineteenth century, in the way the Crown administered reserves set aside for Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, and by the loss of connection to the harbour, forests, waterways and natural resources within the Port Nicholson Block.

PNBC Chief Negotiator, Professor Ngatata Love, said it had been a two decade long journey so far and “we are pleased the end is in sight.

“Hundreds of hours have been devoted since the Agreement in Principle was signed in December last year. There has been an impressive degree of liaison between both parties and today’s ceremony puts us a few steps closer to the finishing line.

“The mandated team’s task now clearly is to take the proposed Deed of Settlement to the claimant community for their ratification. We will also ask them to approve a proposal for a post-settlement governance entity,” he said.

Professor Love said the claimant community looked forward to rectifying the past and increasing opportunities for communities now, and into the future.

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