Ngai Tuhoe and the Bay of Plenty Regional have signed an agreement to work more closely together.

The Relationship Protocol was signed this week by Ngai Tuhoe Treaty settlement entity Te Uru Taumatua Chief Executive Kirsti Luke and Regional Council Chief Executive Mary-Anne Macleod.

Photo: Supplied.

There will be positive gains for both parties from a collaborative engagement which respects their distinct needs, says Mary-Anne.

'Tuhoe and the Regional Council choose to work together to benefit their communities. We will both be looking to increase opportunities to work on shared goals, projects and initiatives,” says Mary-Anne.

Ngai Tuhoe is one of the largest iwi groups within the Bay of Plenty. The tribe has initialled a Treaty Deed of Settlement and is likely to sign soon. The new Relationship Protocol is outlined in the Deed.

The signing took place at Te Uru Taumatua office in Taneatua, with Regional Councillors and staff and iwi members including former Chief Negotiator Tamati Kruger, Te Hau Tutua and Glen Mitchell, and trustees Max Temara, Patrick McGarvey and Huka (Irene) Williams.

Treaty settlements are significant in the Bay of Plenty where Maori consist of about 27 per cent of the population and own about 33 per cent of the land. The region has at least 36 iwi, more than 200 hapū and more than 260 marae.

Bay of Plenty has also achieved eight comprehensive Treaty settlements, six iwi have signed Deeds of Settlement and another 11 claims are being progressed. Last year the Crown enacted three settlements and several others are likely to be completed this year.