Two tribes from the top of the South Island are feeling confident about moving forward, knowing their Treaty settlements will be legislated by the end of the year.
Ngati Rarua and its neighbour Ngati Tama signed their settlements - together worth nearly $20 million- with the Crown in April.
Ngati Rarua trustee Olivia Hall says that after nearly 20 years of tough negotiations and kaumatua dying along the way the new generation is ready and robust to lead the iwi into the future.
She says her iwi has achieved something it has never done before, and both iwi are ready to take themselves to a whole new level, with new management structures in place.
Trust chair Amoroa Luke says the iwi is excited it will soon have a foundation to rebuild and develop the tribe. He says the Crown now acknowledges that the iwi has a deep cultural connection to almost every geographical feature in its tribal territory, which extends from Marlborough province to south of Hokitika.
Ms Hall says Ngati Rarua and Ngati Tama will be working with other South Island iwi such as Ngai Tahu on projects that will benefit all Maori in Te Wai Pounamu.
