A Bay of Plenty tribe says the passing of its first Treaty of Waitangi bill reading in Parliament is the result of hard work.
Waitaha, along with Ngati Whatua o Kaipara, passed their initial readings on Thursday, while bills for the claims of Ngati Manuhiri and Ngati Whatua Orakei passed their second readings.
The settlement for Waitaha covers cultural redress, which includes a $3 million education endowment fund, as well as financial and commercial redress of $7.5 million.
Waitaha treaty negotiations chairperson Frank Puroku Grant says the occasion was fantastic and something the people had been waiting for.
He says the passing of the first reading reminds him of several key people, some of whom have died.
Mr Grant says Thursday's occasion shows the fruits of their labour and brings the tribe a step closer to settling grievances and to receiving assets.
