Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Five Hauraki iwi are now owners
of the largest dairy operation on the Hauraki Plains
after purchasing the Pouarua dairy complex from Landcorp.
The purchase follows the government's agreement
to provide an advance payment ahead of the Hauraki Collective's
comprehensive Treaty settlement.
Peata Melbourne has more.
An advance of over $52m of Hauraki tribes' Treaty settlement
has enabled the purchase of the Pouarua Farm.
Landcorp will still manage the 2200 hectare farm
but iwi appointed board members will oversee farming operations.
The five iwi are Ngati Maru, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Tamatera,
Ngati Tara Tokanui and Te Patukirikiri.
The area on which the farm sits on the Hauraki plains
was one of many taken from the iwi.
For the iwi, this was more than a business transaction,
protecting the environment was an important factor
as well as developing the land and iwi.
The largest farm on the Hauraki Plains
is now in the hands of iwi.
They are expecting Treaty negotiations and settlements
to conclude by 2015.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.