Auckland landmarks formally transferred to iwi

8:12 pm on 8 September 2012

Most iwi and hapu in Auckland on Saturday signed a Treaty settlement with the Crown that returns volcanic cones, islands and reserves to Maori.

A ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon at Auckland Museum, which looks out over some of the city's landmarks, including Rangitoto - which will still be open to the public.

All 13 iwi and sub-tribes that make up the Tamaki Collective attended but only 10 signed.

But both parties are confident the remaining tribes will soon put pen to paper.

The chief negotiator for the Collective Paul Majury told the audience Maori have come a long way since suffering from crushing attacks by colonial forces.

He says the face of the city is about to change and manuwhenua or authority over land is about to move closer to its rightful place.

Although signed, the Deed of Settlement now has to be scrutinised by Parliament before it becomes law.