The Crown has admitted they failed to stop Māori people from driving the Moriori out of their land, and contributed to the myth that Moriori were "racially inferior and became extinct".
An agreement has been signed in principle with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust to settle the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Moriori, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced on Wednesday.
Moriori is an iwi whose ancestors were the first inhabitants of the Chatham Islands. They had an estimated population of 3500, and had lived there for "hundreds of years", Mr Finlayson says.
"In 1835 two iwi originally from Taranaki migrated to the Chatham Islands and enslaved Moriori. Following the annexation of the islands to New Zealand in 1842, the Crown failed to take appropriate action to end the enslavement, despite Moriori pleas for relief.
"The Crown acknowledges Moriori was left virtually landless from 1870, hindering its cultural, social and economic development. The Crown also acknowledges its contribution to the myths that the people of Moriori were racially inferior and became extinct."
The agreement follows years of negotiations, and includes a total value of financial and commercial redress of $18 million
Negotiations towards a comprehensive deed of settlement will begin in the coming months.
Newshub.
