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Prime Wellington waterfront land will be offered for sale to iwi along with cash in an historic Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
Wellington's four iwi lodged their Treaty claim with the Crown 20 years ago but it was not until Thursday that settlement of historic grievances was finally agreed.
The iwi, collectively known as Taranaki Whanui, will take ownership of the three islands in Wellington Harbour, including Matiu/Somes - although the islands will stay as reserves.
They will also be given other land including two empty Wainuiomata schools and will have first right to buy prime waterfront land that used to be a defence force base.
"Things like Shelly Bay really have been closed off to the
citizens of the whole region. Now we're going to work with the
council on a joint venture with the community there," says Ngatata
Love.
The Crown will give the iwi $25 million as part of the
settlement.
But it is not just land and cash - the Crown will formally make an apology. In a first, Taranaki Whanui will also respond by formally forgiving the Crown.
The settlement is the third agreement the government has made in six months and it is understood that other agreements are in the pipeline, such as the Tainui settlement regarding the Waikato River.
The government now has to set about finalising details for Thursday's agreement with Taranaki Whanau and has put forward a timeframe for 2009, although iwi are pushing for this to be brought forward 2008.
