The history of Ngati Mutunga's interaction with the Crown has been detailed in the Waitangi Tribunal's Taranaki Report published in 1996. An account of the historical background agreed between the Crown and Ngati Mutunga is included in the Heads of Agreement. A summary of this is included in the attached material. The claim relates in general terms to breaches by the Crown of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and in particular the waging of war resulting in loss of life, the confiscation of land and other land dealings.
Negotiations on a settlement package with Ngati Mutunga began in April 1998. The Heads of Agreement signed today is an agreement in principle and not legally binding. The Heads of Agreement records the main components of the settlement. After further discussion with Ngati Mutunga on the details of the settlement provisions there will be a formal Crown offer to Ngati Mutunga. This offer will then be put to iwi members for their consideration. If the iwi ratifies the formal Crown offer, the two parties will then sign a binding Deed of Settlement conditional only on the approval of Parliament to the settlement legislation.
Ngati Mutunga was represented in negotiations by the Claims Progression Team. The Office of Treaty Settlements headed by Ross Philipson and Chief Crown Negotiator Hekia Parata, with the support of Treasury, Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation, represented the Crown in day to day negotiations. The Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Sir Douglas Graham chaired the Ministerial group that represented the Crown in high level negotiations with Ngati Mutunga.
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