An Agreement in Principle between the Crown and Ngati Whatua o Orakei, for the settlement of the historical Treaty claims of Ngati Whatua o Orakei has been reached. This is not binding and will need to be ratified by hapu members via a postal ballot. There will also be a series of hui and hikoi to discuss and debate the AIP.

28 September 2006

"AIP Update

Since signing the Agreement in Principle (AIP) on 9 June 2006, the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board (Trust Board) has held a number of successful information hui with beneficiaries, both within and outside of Auckland. There have been ten hui held in total. Four were held at Orakei; four held at the following venues being Moerewa, Hamilton, Reweti Marae and Wellington; and two hikoi made to Maungawhau and Maungakiekie respectively. Overall the response has been very supportive of the agreement.

We earlier indicated that we would seek ratification of the AIP by October 2006. This was based on an incorrect assumption that the AIP required ratification. In fact it is a more detailed deed of settlement that the Crown requires to be ratified. This will happen next year likely in March 2007. Right now your Trust Board is working diligently with the Crown on a broad list of issues required to be agreed in the Deed of Settlement.

We will provide a further progress report as soon as able."