Negotiation
In 2013 there were 7,260 members of Ngāti Ruanui, most of whom live outside Taranaki. In 1996 the Waitangi Tribunal released its Taranaki report, which had found that during the 19th century the Crown had acted unfairly toward Māori tribes in Taranaki. In response to this finding the Ngāti Ruanui Muru me te Raupatu Working Party was elected to negotiate a treaty settlement with the government.
Reparation
A settlement was finally signed at Pariroa pā in 2001. In 2003 the Ngāti Ruanui Settlement Act was passed, culminating with a reading of the Crown apology to 600 Ngāti Ruanui at Pariroa pā. The settlement included cash and Crown-owned land valued at $41 million. An advisory committee was established to assist with the management of fisheries in the Ngāti Ruanui area of interest, including the customary interest of Ngāti Ruanui in those fisheries.
Ngāti Ruanui are now represented by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, recognised by the government as the representative body of Ngāti Ruanui, with responsibility for managing the tribe’s assets for the benefit of its members.