Treaty claims by a Hauraki iwi collective on Tauranga Harbour have angered Ngai Te Rangi, and drawn support from an Auckland iwi.

Representatives of Ngati Whatua Orakei travelled to Tauranga this week to hui with iwi from Tauranga Moana, Waikato, and Tamaki Makaurau to discuss the government's approach to settling overlapping Treaty claims.

In December, Ngai Te Rangi criticised the government when they became aware a Treaty settlement agreement had been initialled with a Hauraki iwi collective.

They allege the Crown's settlement with the Hauraki iwi collective will allow Hauraki iwi rights to Tauranga Moana (Harbour), which effectively 'trashes and recolonises Tauranga tikanga”.

Ngai Te Rangi kaumatua Hauata Palmer says the deal was done by stealth and disadvantages Tauranga iwi.

'We are putting Bill English on notice that we will no longer accept Chris Finlayson's propensity to hand out sweet deals to some and push through arrangements based on invented histories,” says Hauata.

'It must stop. This is no way for the Crown to be engaging with iwi. He has gone too far, and from Auckland, Waikato, through the Bay of Plenty and beyond, iwi and hapu are meeting, organising and preparing to defeat this insulting behaviour.”

Ngati Whatua Orakei trustee Ngarimu Blair says the Auckland-based hapu is facing similar issues as those occurring in Tauranga.

'We fully support Ngai Te Rangi and will work with them to ensure their mana is upheld. It's deeply concerning that the Government is taking the same flawed approach in Tauranga as it is in Tamaki Makaurau,” says Ngarimu.

'The way Treaty claims are currently being settled is pitting iwi against iwi and at times hapu against their own iwi, and that is clearly wrong.

'Unfortunately, we are also seeing some iwi taking advantage of the Crown's approach and overreaching into areas where their interests are not strong.

'Surely the mana that Tauranga iwi have over their moana should be protected. To recognise an iwi collective from up the coast as having the same level of mana is disrespectful.”