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National | Crown

Ngāti Paoa will not take the Crown to court

Ngāti Paoa will not take any legal action against the Crown over the first right of refusal to purchase Auckland land, despite Ngāti Whātua and Waikato-Tainui revealing yesterday they would.

Ngāti Paoa negotiator Hauāuru Rawiri says completing the treaty settlement process is their focus.

Rawiri says, “Each iwi and hapū have the right to make their own decisions. Who are we to deny them?”

Ngāti Paoa is still yet to finalise their treaty settlement with the Crown.

He says,“There are three iwi who have been successful. There are 10 more still negotiating and discussing their claims with the Crown,”

He believes the solution for Ngāti Paoa is not in the court room but at the negotiation table.

“For us, we must discuss first, then find a solution and then we can go from there.”

According to Rawiri, Ngāti Paoa has the capacity and capability to develop and grow housing in Auckland.

“It's obvious in the papers and on TV that Auckland has a housing crisis. Ngāti Paoa can help by working with the government.”

Ngāti Paoa is hoping to sign off their treaty settlement by August but until then, they plan to keep out of the court rooms.