Crown Signs Agreement in Principle to Settle Claims of Ngai Tai Iwi

Goldsmith said the milestone carries deep significance for Ngai Tai, whose original grievances date back more than 150 years.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced that the Crown has formally signed an Agreement in Principle (Whakaaetanga Matua) with Ngai Tai, marking an important step forward in settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.

Goldsmith said the milestone carries deep significance for Ngai Tai, whose original grievances date back more than 150 years. “This is a significant step in the settlement process, since Ngai Tai submitted their first claims over a century and a half ago,” he said. “Negotiations towards a comprehensive deed of settlement will follow shortly.”

Under the proposed framework, Ngai Tai will receive a substantial redress package that includes:

• A significant allocation of conservation land, acknowledging the iwi’s enduring connection to their ancestral environment.

• Financial and commercial redress totalling $12 million, enabling the iwi to invest in long-term development, cultural revitalisation, and economic growth.

• The reservation of marine space in which Ngai Tai may apply for aquaculture resource consents—supporting future opportunities in the marine and aquaculture sectors.

The Crown formally acknowledges that its historic acts and omissions resulted in the loss of Ngai Tai lands and caused widespread social, cultural, economic, and population impacts. Goldsmith said the Agreement in Principle represents a meaningful step toward addressing those injustices and rebuilding the Crown–iwi relationship.

Ngai Tai is based in Tōrere, in the eastern Bay of Plenty, and maintains deep ancestral ties to the region’s coastline, forests, and marae communities. The iwi’s claims largely relate to land confiscations, Crown purchasing practices, and the long-term consequences of alienation from traditional resources.

The Whakaaetanga Matua sets out the broad outline of the settlement package, with detailed provisions still to be negotiated in the coming months before a final Deed of Settlement is reached. Once completed, the settlement will require ratification by Ngai Tai members and legislation to enact it.

Goldsmith said the Crown remains committed to progressing settlements in a fair and timely way. “This agreement is a step in the process of the Crown addressing past wrongs and supporting Ngai Tai’s aspirations for the future.”