The Tuhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill have passed their third reading in Parliament this morning.

The new bills will see the historical grievances of Ngai Tuhoe settled and the establishment of a new legal identity and new governance arrangements for Te Urewera.

A new Te Urewera Board will be established to run the national park.

The Tuhoe Claims Settlement Bill provides financial and cultural redress of $170 million [which includes Tuhoe's share of the Central North Island Forests Land Collective Settlement]; Mana Motuhake redress to improve relationships between Tuhoe and the Crown and the delivery of government and iwi services in Tuhoe communities; and the return of culturally significant sites and other cultural redress.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson says today opens a new chapter for Tuhoe and for the Crown.

'These bills settle the historical claims of Tuhoe, who suffered some of the worst breaches by the Crown in the country's history, involving large scale confiscation, brutal military campaigns targeting Tuhoe settlements, and unjust land purchases.

'The Tuhoe Claims Settlement Bill sets out Crown acknowledgements of this history for all New Zealanders to learn about and learn from. It enshrines in legislation an apology for the Crown's grievous actions.”

The Te Urewera Bill is a central component of the settlement with Tuhoe. It will preserve the natural and cultural values of Te Urewera, strengthen the connection between Tuhoe and Te Urewera and provide for public access and recreation, says the crown.

This bill recognises that Te Urewera is treasured by Tuhoe people as their homeland and by the nation as a whole.

Te Urewera Bill replaces the National Parks Act 1980 as the primary legislation providing for the governance and management of Te Urewera. This means the Crown will no longer own Te Urewera.

It gives effect to redress provided for in the historical settlement agreed by the Crown and Tuhoe.

A new Te Urewera Board will also be established to govern Te Urewera, develop and approve a 10-year management plan and to undertake landowner functions such as deciding on concessions and permissions to undertake certain activities in Te Urewera.

The appointed board members are Tamati Kruger, Matthew Te Pou, Lorna Taylor,Te Tokawhakaea Temara, Rt Hon Jim Bolger, John Wood, Dave Bamford and, Jo Breese. The board will choose its chair from among the Tuhoe appointees.

The board members are appointed for a three year term.

After the initial term, the board's membership will change to comprise six members appointed by Tuhoe and three appointed by the Minister of Conservation.

The board will be officially established when the Te Urewera Act takes effect, which is expected to be late September.