The Te Arawa tribes have a close historical interest in the lakes around Rotorua. Many were killed in the Mt Tarawera eruption of 1886.
The iwi chose to negotiate directly with the New Zealand government over their historical grievances, bypassing the Waitangi Tribunal. A series of negotiations has resulted in several settlements of their various claims, the largest of which are the settlement relating to the 14 lakes, signed in December 2004[1], and the settlement for all the historical claims of a cluster of Te Arawa iwi and hapu signed on 30 September2006. The Government apologised to Te Arawa for breaches of the Treaty, and paid $36 million in compensation, including up to 500 km² of Crown forest land, as well as 19 areas of special significance, including the Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve[2].
