Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill Passes First Reading

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said the milestone follows the signing of the Deed of Settlement in Tūwai on 25 February, bringing years of negotiations closer to completion.

The Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step forward in resolving the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Ruapani.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said the milestone follows the signing of the Deed of Settlement in Tūwai on 25 February, bringing years of negotiations closer to completion.

Important Milestone After Years of Negotiations

Goldsmith said it was a privilege to host members of Ngāti Ruapani in Parliament as they witnessed the progress of their settlement legislation.

“It is good we can move forward with the Ngāti Ruapani settlement, after signing their Deed of Settlement in Tūwai on 25 February,” Goldsmith said.

“It was an honour to welcome and host the people of Ngāti Ruapani today, so that they could witness Parliament passing the first reading of their Bill.”

The settlement marks the culmination of six years of negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Ruapani.

According to the minister, the passage of the first reading represents a major and long-awaited step for the iwi.

“After six years of negotiations with Ngāti Ruapani, this is a significant and long-awaited milestone to reach,” he said.

Acknowledging Historical Injustices

Goldsmith acknowledged that Treaty settlements cannot fully compensate for the historical injustices experienced by iwi, but they aim to address grievances and establish a foundation for the future.

“No settlement can fully compensate for the injustices of the past, which Ngāti Ruapani experienced in full,” he said.

“But this settlement represents a way forward. I hope it will contribute to the support of future generations of Ngāti Ruapani to come.”

Key Elements of the Settlement Package

The settlement includes a mix of financial compensation, cultural recognition, and land-related redress.

Key components of the agreement include:

• $24 million in financial redress

• An undivided half share in Patunamu Forest Ltd

• Four commercial redress properties

• Two cultural redress properties

• Approximately 12,000 hectares of land added to Te Urewera

These measures aim to support the economic development, cultural restoration, and future wellbeing of Ngāti Ruapani.

Iwi Based Around Waikaremoana

Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana are based in the region surrounding southern Waikaremoana, an area with deep cultural and historical significance to the iwi.

The settlement documents, including the Deed of Settlement, have been made publicly available through Te Tari Whakatau – the Office for Māori Crown Relations.

Once the legislative process is completed, the settlement will formally resolve Ngāti Ruapani’s historical Treaty claims against the Crown.