The Government has been told Te Urewera National Park is the reason why Tuhoe is signing its Deed of Settlement with the Crown.
The Crown apologised on Tuesday for breaching the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.
From left, Speaker of the House David Carter (wearing cloak), Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson and Prime Minister John Key. Photo: RNZ
It has made a settlement package which includes an apology from the Crown for past injustices. There will be financial redress of $170 million and the right to manage Te Urewera National Park in the North Island in partnership with the Crown.
Hundreds of Ngai Tuhoe descendants filled Parliament's banquet hall on Tuesday - some were holding photos of family members who have died, and others wore korowai and traditional cloaks.
Tuhoe elder Pou Temara told government officials - including Prime Minister John Key, Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples - that his iwi is at Parliament because of the Urewera National Park.
Mr Key says the park won't be owned by anyone, instead it will be represented by a board including delegates from Tuhoe. Mr Temara told the crowd that everyone will be welcome to visit Te Urewera.
Tamati Kruger. Photo: RNZ
The Deed of Settlement was signed at Parliament by Tuhoe leader Tamati Kruger along with Mr Key, Mr Finlayson and Mr Sharples.
Opportunities for young
A Ngai Tuhoe member says he hopes the settlement between the iwi and the Crown will provide educational opportunities for the younger generation.
Central to the package is the creation of a new legal entity to govern the tribal homeland of Te Urewera National Park in eastern Bay of Plenty.
Timoti Purewa is from Ngai Tuhoe and lives in Ruatoki, about 20km south of Whakatane. He says the Deed of Settlement will hopefully provide a better life for the younger generation.
Of the Ngai Tuhoe members who voted, 90% were in favour of accepting the agreement.
Hundreds of people from Tuhoe arrived in Wellington on Tuesday for the signing. Photo: RNZ
