One of New Zealand’s oldest property law claims has finally been settled, with the Crown handing back promised land to Māori in the top of the South Island.
In a deal signed at Parliament this morning, Attorney General Judith Collins and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced the return of 3068ha of land to descendants of its original owners following a long-standing private litigation.
Conservation land within the Abel Tasman National Park plus the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve will be returned to Te Tauihu (top of the South Island) Māori, alongside a $420 million payment to cover the shortfall of land that was not able to be provided.
The assets will be transferred to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust, which will manage them on behalf of the customary owners.
The deal, which did not include any privately-owned land and will not restrict public access to land being returned, was roughly half the acreage sought in the 180-year grievance.
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