Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson says Ngati Whakahemo will have to see what happens in the Waitangi Tribunal over claims to Bay of Plenty land.
Chris Finlayson. Photo: RNZ
Landcorp has closed tenders for whenua including dairy farms at Pukehina.
The iwi is distraught it was denied right of first refusal and is worried it will be outbid for its own mana whenua.
Mr Finlayson says the tribe was included in the Affiliates Te Arawa Settlement in 2008, which meant a full and final settlement of its historical claims.
Ngati Whakahemo says it was unknowingly included in that deed, and will seek an urgent hearing in the Tribunal for its own Waitangi claim if it is not successful in the tender.
Mr Finlayson says it is an example of a botched settlement negotiated under the previous Labour government and he has encouraged iwi to engage in the tender.
The land will go to the highest bidder, which should be known in a fortnight.
