Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tribe moots payout to its people

Updated at 4:03 pm on 4 January 2013

An Auckland subtribe says it could, one day, pay dividends to its members.

Ngati Whatua o Kaipara settled its Treaty claim at the end of 2011 and received financial redress worth about $22 million.

A trustee, Margaret Kawharu, says over time the hapu is becoming wealthier and that raises the prospect of dividends - though any scheme would have to ensure tribal members don't treat the payments as benefits they can rely on for getting by.

Ms Kawharu says Maori organisations are becoming smarter and more financially literate.

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