A small Northland iwi is now deciding how it can make a $9.5 million Treaty settlement work.
The Te Roroa Claims Settlement Bill was enacted by Parliament on Thursday, giving the iwi rights to buy Crown-owned properties north of Dargaville, as well as have a greater say in the management of the Waipoua Forest.
Waatea News reports that while the claim has taken more than 20 years to bring to a conclusion, the iwi has been laying the groundwork for an enhanced role in the rohe.
Negotiator Alex Nathan says enhancements to the original settlement offer means Te Roroa will get the land back without crippling levels of debt.
Parliament also passed the Affiliated Te Arawa Iwi and Central North Island forestry settlements.
The Port Nicholson Block and Waikato River Settlements passed their first readings.
