Both major political parties have pledged to keep up the pace of Treaty of Waitangi settlements on a historic day that saw three deals - including the largest ever - passed into law.
The Central North Island (CNI) Forests Land Collective Settlement Bill, Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Reroa Claims Settlement Bill all passed their final readings unopposed today.
The CNI bill sets out the largest ever settlement - the so-called "Treelords" deal - with a collective of seven iwi, representing more than 100,000 people.
It involves $195.7m of crown forest land covering 176,000 hectares, plus about $223m in rentals that have accumulated on the land since 1989 and an annual income stream of $13m.
A large group of iwi in Parliament's public gallery greeted its passing with song.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen credited Tuwharetoa paramount chief Tumu te Heuheu for bringing the tribes together to cut a deal that had eluded the Crown and Maori for 20 years.
He said the deal was a key step towards the settling of grievances, had acted as a catalyst for other negotiations and proved the Government's 2020 deadline for the settling of historic claims was achievable.
Dr Cullen said the passing of three settlement bills into law on the same day was a first and the Government was committed to keeping up the pace of settlements.
"There's a lot of settlements yet to be done," he said.
"I'm confident we can keep up the speed." But he said more resources might need to be put into negotiations to ensure momentum was maintained.
National's Maori affairs spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu said the CNI agreement was unique and was a model for other iwi looking to work together.
"This is a great day, not only for the iwi of the central North Island, but for all New Zealanders." She promised National would continue the recent pace of settlements if it formed the next government.
Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said Maoridom had embraced the deal, which had set out a new path of unity and co-operation.
He said that had in part been achieved by high-level talks involving both chiefs and senior ministers.
The collective is made up of Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Whare, Ngati Manawa, Raukawa and the Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu. Dr Cullen said it was still possible for an eighth iwi, Ngati Rangitihi, to join the settlement if it agreed to do so before Christmas.
The CNI bill only covers the tribes' claims over forest assets. However, Te Arawa, had its full settlement passed into law in a separate bill, which included a crown apology, financial redress and a part in management of crown-owned land. Another bill with Northland's Te Roroa set out a formal crown apology, the transfer of 24 areas of crown-owned land and cash totalling $9.5 million.
Parliament also today passed the first readings of the Port Nicholson Block Claims Settlement Bill and the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill.
The former formalises Taranaki Whanui's claim over parts of Wellington, while the latter sets down the Crown's settlement with Tainui over the Waikato River.
