Landmarks returned to Ngati Whatua
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Auckland LandMarks Returned to Ngati Whatua (1 min 43 seconds)
The Ngati Whatua o Orakei hapu has signed an agreement in principle with the Crown, which will return many significant Auckland landmarks to Maori ownership.
The Crown has acknowledged it breached the Treaty of Waitangi when dealing with Ngati Whatua, saying it failed to protect the hapu's interests.
Soon after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngati Whatua handed over much of central Auckland to the crown but quickly found they lost any say in the way it was used. The fight to get it back started 29 years ago when Ngati Whatua occupied Bastion Point.
In the agreement the hapu will receive $10 million and the return of iconic locations Mt Eden, One Tree Hill, Mt Roskill and the Purewa Creek.
Chairman of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei trust board, Sir Hugh Kawharu, says the financial redress is a lot less than what was hoped for. But he says the Crown's acknowledgement of the past and the return of the sacred mountains is of great importance.
Treaty Negotiations Minister, Mark Burton, says it was not possible for the Crown to fully compensate the hapu for its all its losses and the agreement had to be fair and consistent. He believes the agreement is in the best interest of the hapu and all New Zealanders.
Ngati Whatua say nothing will change and the sites will remain exactly as they are with all Aucklanders able to have full access, as they do now.
Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard says the hapu will jointly manage the sites with the city council and public access will be protected.