Bay of Plenty iwi Ngai Tuhoe says it hopes to reach a settlement with the Crown by the end of this year.
At a summit regarding the future of Te Urewera National Park, Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said the park is an essential element of a comprehensive agreement with Ngai Tuhoe.
Tuhoe chief negotiator Tamati Kruger believes negotiations are on track to reach an agreement by 1 December.
Mr Finlayson wouldn't give a settlement date, but did express hope it would be before the next election.
