The Government and three Kurahaupō Iwi have agreed on a $25.2 million settlement.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the responsible agency, Te Arawhiti, worked together with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust, Rangitāne o Wairau Settlement Trust, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia to resolve the issue of contaminated land at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Contamination from per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contained in firefighting foams was found in 2019.
The contamination prevented the three Iwi from purchasing a substantial part of the site as originally intended in their Treaty settlement redress. Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka praised the Iwi for their ongoing commitment to resolving the issue, saying "upholding Treaty settlement commitments is a priority for this government."
The $25.2 million settlement compensates the Iwi for being unable to purchase the remainder of the site due to the extent of the contamination. The agreement was signed on 14 October 2024.