MPs have passed Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation for two Waikato tribes.
Parliament sat under urgency this morning to vote on compensation packages for Ngati Haua and Ngati Koroki Kahukura.
When colonial forces invaded the Waikato in 1863, Ngati Haua opposed the incursion and many of its people were killed or wounded.
Crown purchasing power then reduced the amount of tribal land, and more whenua was lost when blocks were taken for roading, railways, schools, hydro-electric dams and an aerodrome.
The Government says today, the iwi is virtually landless.
Ngati Haua has received an apology and financial and commercial redress of $13 million. It will also take ownership of 700 hectares of land, mostly reserves.
For Ngati Koroki Kahukura, the Crown says confiscation of whenua resulted in the tribe becoming virtually landless by the end of the twentieth century
Officials also acknowledge that during World War I, some Ngati Koroki Kahukura people were for imprisoned for resisting conscription. Despite this, descendants still volunteered for service during the World War II.
Its compensation package includes $3 million and the vesting of Maungatautari into the community, which includes iwi.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said the bills would help right the Crown's past wrongs.
