Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson says he wants this to be the year of the deed for Auckland iwi.
Mr Finlayson was in Auckland on Friday to sign a framework agreement with 12 iwi and hapu for joint ownership of volcanic cones and other regional assets, and agreements in principal to settle the remaining Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Kawerau a Maki claims.
He told Waatea News the Crown needs to maintain the momentum built up over the past year by negotiator Michael Dreaver from the Office of Treaty Settlements and facilitator Sir Douglas Graham.
Hapu Ngati Whatua o Orakei will go back to its members over the next few weeks to win support for the amended agreement.
An earlier agreement was set aside so other Tamaki Makaurau iwi could participate in a collective settlement.
A spokesperson Ngarimu Blair says the Ngati Whatua trust board believes the Crown has made its best offer, and the tribe's 6000 members now need to weigh up the trade offs.
These include shared ownership of at least 11 Auckland volcanic cones, instead of three, and shared ownership of some commercial assets.
Ngati Whatua also get $18 million in redress.
