The job of sharing Kaingaroa Forest in New Zealand among eight iwi is not over yet. Source: Radio New Zealand
After six years of talks, they’ve reached an agreement to divide the land among them according to mana whenua rights, or tribal territories.
But they now have to split 176,000 hectares between them – which will be worked out in percentage portions.
Kaingaroa Forest lands were returned to eight iwi in 2008 under a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
Two forestry blocks belonging to the Crown are to be given to Tuhoe as part of their Treaty of Waitangi Settlement.
The allocation of the whenua was introduced as part of the Tuhoe Settlement legislation going through Parliament.
After an amendment to the settlement was made in Parliament two Central North Island Forest sites, Waitehouhii and Korokoro o Te Huatahi would be bestowed by the Crown.
Rentals from the forests will be used by the tribe to financially benefit Kaingaroa communities.
Tuhoe leader Tamati Kruger is praising the Crown’s decision. He said the iwi was pleased the sites have been recognised as culturally important to the communities of
Kaingaroa.
Mr Kruger said rentals would mean they would have an annual income of between NZ$62,000 and NZ$70,000.
The Government said the land will not effect the larger Central North Island forestry deal which is currently being shared out by adjudicators in accordance with mana whenua allocation rules.
