Taranaki Iwi have signed their final treaty negotiation settlement.

Negotiations between the crown and local Iwi began in 2010 - and officially concluded at a ceremony in New Plymouth today.

The Crown will hand over $70 million dollars and 29 properties will be vested in Taranaki Iwi, to compensate for land confiscations back in the mid 1800s.

This includes a joint vesting of Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands at New Plymouth with Te Atiawa. 

Taranaki Iwi Trust Chairperson Tokatumoana Walden said the negotiations were a taxing experience for local Maori, but it's an important milestone.

"We went through a lot of emotions, it was a journey - a journey of sadness, grievance, but also happy that resolve was going to happen," Walden said.

"It's a real historical day, a really significant day for our people, not only for the ones that are here today but also for those ones that sought justice in the past and went through this process and didn't get resolution."

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said he was incredibly moved by the ceremony.

"It was one of the most, if not the most, emotional settlements I have attended, as they recounted the story of what happened when the troops invaded Parihaka."

He said the settlement provides a basis for the Iwi to develop a much stronger future.

"I think it is a very good settlement on both sides and it enables everyone to move ahead."

The Waitangi Tribunal had previously described the Taranaki breaches as some of the most significant in the country.

Crown breaches of the Treaty in Taranaki included warfare causing loss of life, imprisonment, disempowerment, and the attack at Parihaka.