Tribute was paid to Dame Whina Cooper, the leader of the 1975 Maori land march, during debate in Parliament today on four Treaty of Waitangi settlements passed into law - those of northern tribes Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kuri, and Ngai Takoto.

In five days it will be 40th anniversary of the day Dame Whina set off from Te Hapua near the top of the North Island.

"Most New Zealanders who witnessed it were compelled by that seemingly frail, yet passionately articulate woman, who led the March," Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said.

"The imagery was powerful and is stamped on our national memory."

Pakeha had had to stop and consider what made a 79-year-old kuia decided to lead a march the length of the North Island.

"By the time the hikoi arrived, the country was watching. And one message was clear - Maori had legitimate treaty grievances which had to be addressed."

Among the many others Mr Finlayson paid tribute were the late Matiu Rata, former Labour MP and Mana Motuhake leader, and Hone Harawira, former Mana MP and Mana Movement leader, and Pat Snedden, the chief Crown negotiator.

The four iwi negotiated together but have four separate settlements.

The four are among five iwi based is Te Hiku o Te Ika a Maui or the tail of Maui the fish and the original settlement bill was intoruduced as one, Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill, before being divided into four. At 562 pages, it is one of the largest bills ever considered by Parliament.

The fifth iwi, Ngati Kahu, did not join the arrangement and some of its members are occupying the Kaitaia Airport.

Mr Finlayson described them as "miscreants" and did not want to Ngati Kahu criticised as running the occupation.

He said Ngati Kahu and Ngai Takoto had been offered the right to buy 50% each of the airport - on condition it remain an airport.

It Ngati Kahu had not settled within three years, Ngai Takoto would have the chance to buy 100% of it.

The following are the descriptions of the cost of redress, provided by the Crown.

TE RARAWA

The total cost includes $33.84 million plus interest, discount on farm purchase price, the value of the cultural redress properties to be vested, $530,000 cultural redress fund, $812,500 towards social accord implementation, $137,500 in recognition of the historical and cultural associations of Te Rarawa with Te Oneroa-a-Tohe/Ninety Mile Beach and a portion of the $400,000 one-off contribution to the Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Beach Board.

TE AUPOURI

The total cost is $21.04 million plus interest, the value of the cultural redress properties to be vested, $380,000 cultural redress fund, $812,500 towards social accord implementation, $137,500 in recognition of the historical and cultural associations of Te Aupouri with Te Oneroa-a-Tohe / Ninety Mile Beach and a portion of the $400,000 one-off contribution to the Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Beach Board.

NGAI TAKOTO

The total cost includes $21.04 million plus interest, discount on farm purchase price, the value of the cultural redress properties to be vested, $2.4 million cultural redress fund, $812,500 towards social accord implementation, $137,500 in recognition of the historical and cultural associations of Ngai Takoto with Te Oneroa-a-Tohe/Ninety Mile Beach and a portion of the one-off contribution of $400,000 to the Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Board.

NGATI KURI

The total cost is $21.04 million plus interest, the value of the cultural redress properties to be vested, $2.230 million cultural endowment fund, $812,500 towards social accord implementation, $137,500 in recognition of the historical and cultural associations of Ngati Kuri with Te Oneroa-a-Tohe / Ninety Mile Beach and a portion of the $400,000 one-off contribution to the Te Oneroa-a-Tohe Beach Board.

Parliament also passed a treaty settlement act today for Te Kawerau a Maki, whose rohe stretches from West Auckland across to Mahurangi.

Included in its settlement is includes the transfer of 86% of Riverhead forest to the iwi, to the value of $6.5 million, $300,000 for a marae at Hobsonville and burial ground at Te Henga (Bethell's) for a burial ground.