Tuhoe representatives and Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen today signed terms of negotiation for the North Island tribe's claim.
Tuhoe never signed the Treaty of Waitangi and the negotiation will be only the second time it has entered formal negotiations with the Crown.
Relations with the Crown have historically been poor and hit a new low point last year with the arrest of several Maori activists in the Ureweras on firearms and related charges in the so-called "anti-terror raids".
One of those arrested, activist Tame Iti, who is awaiting trial for firearms offences, was present today. Iti issued a challenge with a taiaha as part of the ceremonies around the signing.
However, there was no ill feeling, with Iti and Dr Cullen giving each other a hongi on three separate occasions.
Last month the tribe was part of the historic Treelords agreement, which signed over about $420 million in central North Island forestry assets to an iwi collective.
