Historic actions by the Crown frayed the social fabric in the Tauranga area the Treaty Negotiations Minister says.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Parliament is sitting under extended hours to pass three Treaty of Waitangi bills, two of which cover the claims of iwi from the Tauranga harbour area.
The Tauranga Moana Iwi Collective Redress and Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Ranginui Claims Settlement Bill, along with the Ngāti Pūkenga Claims Settlement Bill, would settle the treaty claims of the three iwi whose rohe centre around the Tauranga Harbour.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said through the Crown's actions, Tauranga Moana iwi suffered reduced access to resources, and land was taken from iwi under the Public Works Act.
"The collective actions and the omissions of the Crown left all Tauranga Moana iwi with insufficient land for their needs, undermined their economy and frayed the social fabric of the region," he said.
The third bill debated today was the Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa Claims Settlement Bill, which addressed the Kaeo-based iwi's claim.
The bills passed their first readings unanimously and will be considered by the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
