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Ngati Rangiteaorere are nearing the end of their Treaty Claims process.
Areas included in the claim are Lake Okataina, parts of Te Ngae
and the shores of Waiohewa.
This is the last leg of the journey
for the descendants from the east side of Lake Rotorua.
The sun has almost set on their rights to the foreshore.
The end of a long struggle for Ngati Rangiteaorere.
Today, agreements in principle were signed for over 300ha
of land at Lake Okataina Reserve to be returned to the tribe.
Also a small parcel of land at Te Ngae will also be returned.
The assets are small because the mandate belongs to many.
There are many who have fought for the land.
Most of the land in the area has been settled,
and other tribes have laid claim to it.
Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell liaises with those involved.
Ngati Rangiteaorere's case may be unique
because this claim concerns them in how the land will be dealt with
as much of it has been fenced off
so that they could not restore or even visit the land.
So this is very important to them.
Aside from the aforementioned land that was returned,
the majority of overlapping tribal interests in the area
have already been settled.
This tribe will get statutory rights on other sacred sites.
Te Ngae is the homestead, Waiohewa is the marae
and Tinirau's sacred island is the tribe's treasure.
This is one of five agreements in principle left for the Government
to sign off before the end of the year.
Jasmyn Pearson, Te Karere.