Dozens of people have witnessed the signing of the Ngaruahinerangi Treaty of Waitangi settlement at a pa in South Taranaki on Friday.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson. Photo: RNZ
After years of negotiations, the iwi has shaken hands Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson.
Until 1865, Ngaruahinerangi retained control and ownership of their whenua. But land buy-ups by the Crown in Taranaki created tensions that led to the outbreak of war.
A bush-scouring campaign stifled the tribe's ability to fight and forced their people to flee their settlements.
Land confiscations deprived Ngaruahinerangi to wahi tapu and food gathering sites.
The taking of the land prompted more war, and colonial forces put a bounty on Ngaruahinerangi leader Titokowaru. Troops couldn't catch him, but they did take the heads of some of his followers and a tribal chief.
The Crown on Friday made a full apology for its past actions and acknowledged that it breached the Treaty of Waitangi and inflicted serious damage on Ngaruahinerangi people living in the Maori village of Parihaka.
At Mawhitiwhiti Kanihi Pa, the iwi was told it would receive $67 million in financial redress and government departments would work with the tribe to develop a kaitiaki plan for land in its rohe.
