Iconic sites in Auckland such as Mt Eden, One Tree Hill, Mt Smart and Mt Wellington have been handed over from the Crown to local iwi today.
The ownership of 14 volcano cones has been given to the Tamaki Collective after a deal was signed at the Auckland War Memorial Museum today, addressing the historical claims of the iwi collective.
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson says the deal is particularly momentous because it concerns land that is of “extremely high historical, spiritual and cultural significance”.
The cones to be transferred in ownership make up a significant portion of Auckland and its suburbs – Three Kings, One Tree Hill, Wiri Mountain, North Head, Mt Wellington, Mt Eden, Mt Albert, Mt Roskill, Mt St John, Mt Hobson, Pigeon Mountain, Mt Richmond, Mt Smart and Mt Victoria.
The deal will also involve name changes to 20 cones and islands, many that have not yet been named and some that will be changed.
Four islands in the Hauraki gulf, including Rangitoto and Motuihe, will be given to a group of local iwi and hapū, who will then gift them back to the Crown.
The changes may finally bring a tree back to One Tree Hill, after being without one for 12 years, Fairfax reports. Auckland Council had previously decided not to re-plant on the hill until an agreement was reached with local iwi.
''This is a significant step forward for the iwi of Auckland and the wider community as we move towards putting the grievances of the past behind us and look forward to the future,” says Mr Finlayson.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown called the move historic, saying it was important milestone.
“This settlement will go a long way to securing the interests of generations to come in Auckland, whether they be mana whenua or others,” says Mr Brown.
“I am pleased to see this coming together of iwi and hapū, to reach a collective agreement with the Crown. It should provide a firm base for settling individual treaty claims and for new opportunities, including economic development and cultural expression.
“The sharing of responsibilities should provide a different perspective on how we treat this important part of our city’s heritage, going forwards.”
The settlement will not affect public use and access rights to the land, including existing buildings and leases.
However, the iwi collective will have first right of refusal for land or buildings the Crown proposes to dispose of in the area.
A co-governance body made up of members of the council, the iwi collective and the Crown will look after the areas, and $400,000 has been allocated towards the setup costs of the governance body.
The Tamaki Collective is made up of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Te Ākitai, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Te Patukirikiri and Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua.
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