Members of Ngati Whatua o Orakei are being told not to expect a financial floodgate to be opened now the Auckland sub-tribe has settled its Treaty claims.
Writing in the hapu's annual report, chairman Grant Hawke says they are not about to throw money around.
He says there are unfortunate examples where iwi and hapu throughout the country have made poor financial decisions that have undone careful wealth building by previous generations.
This year, the Taranaki iwi Ngati Tama lost nearly $20 million in investments, some of it in a computer software company now in liquidation.
Mr Hawke says Ngati Whatua o Orakei has a good history of making careful and prudent decisions.
The sub-tribe received $18 million of financial and commercial redress as part of its Treaty package.
Mr Hawke says the goal is to eventually distribute funds to improve the health and well-being of all whanau.
He acknowledges that people are waiting to see an actual difference in their lives.
