Reparations in a twisted Green world

The government of New Zealand has made a reparations deal with 8 indigenous Maori tribes for treaty violations and land seizures dating back to the European invasion of the islands. The interesting thing about the deal is that half of the total payment will be made in cash, while the other half is to be made in credits for 'renting' forests and in greenhouse gas emission credits. Sorry, but there's something about this that seems very twisted to me and understanding why the Maori accepted these terms is something i've got to investigate. Why would tribes agree to pay for the use of forests which used to be part of their own territories? And what on earth are they going to do with emissions credits, sell them to Japan in exchange for capital to open casinos? Not that i've got a problem with Maori engaging in capitalist trading schemes, it just seems like a strange spin on "your way of life has totally ransacked us" resolution.