The Crown is committed to completing historic Treaty settlement negotiations with Hauraki iwi, says Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson.

On Tuesday, Finlayson responded to Hauraki District Council Mayor John Tregidga's statements concerning the stalled negotiations, adding his officials were working hard to complete settlement talks 'as quickly as possible”.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson. Photo: Chris Finlayson

'Earlier this year I appointed a new Chief Crown Negotiator Rick Barker to bring a new perspective to negotiations which are progressing in a constructive and timely manner,” he says.

'Just under two months ago, for example, we initialled a deed of settlement with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.”

Finlayson says five Hauraki iwi have filed litigation in the Waitangi Tribunal, but adds that the Crown does not negotiate with iwi at the same time they are litigating against the Crown.

Because of this litigation, required iwi-specific and collective negotiations had to be paused, he says.

Iwi-specific negotiations are active with those Hauraki iwi who did not file in the Tribunal, including Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Hei, Ngaati Whanaunga and Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu.

'The claims of the iwi of Hauraki are complex and overlapping. We are making good progress on these negotiations but it is simply wrong to say negotiations are 99 per cent complete. I have heard that figure before. It is wrong and repetition does not make it right.

'I look forward to the completion of the Tribunal's inquiry so we can resume all negotiations with the iwi of Hauraki.”

Finlayson adds: 'I have offered to meet Mr Tregidga, and other interested mayors, to update them on progress with Hauraki negotiations.”