Ngati Pahauwera Treaty Claims Settlement Bill

Mr Speaker, I move that the Ngati Pāhauwera Treaty Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time.
Although I was unable to participate in the policy decisions about the Ngati Pahauwera settlement, due to a declared conflict of interest, it is with great pleasure that I stand to speak today in this third reading of the bill.

I stand to acknowledge the children of Tamatea Arikinui mai Tawhiti, Tureia, Te Huki, Puruaute. I pay tribute to those who have travelled from the brow of the sacred mountain, Tawhiwhirangi, from the ancestral waters of Mohaka.

Mr Speaker I also pay tribute to those who for years also travelled from the lands of our tipuna Te Kahu O Te Rangi bearing the grievances and aspirations of Ngati Pahauwera. Those who have passed, live on in our history, live on in our people and importantly today, live on in New Zealand law. I remember today, Wikitoria Hapeta, Aerial Aranui, Te Awhi Winiata, Raymond Joe, Charlie Hirini, George Hawkins, Reay Paku and Tom Gemmell.

Tangitu ki te moana
Maungaharuru ki uta
Mohaka te awa
Ko Ngati Pahauwera te iwi
Mr Speaker.
This whakatauki describes the essence of Ngati Pahauwera from the mountains to the sea, from the river to the iwi. Maungaharuru forest lands providing food and resources. Tangitu, our coastal territory and fisheries. The Mohaka River’s spiritual, cultural and economic value to the people of Pahauwera is immeasurable.
Te tapu o Irakewa.
Mohaka Tomairangi.
Mohaka te Waiora.
Made sacred by Irakewa.
Mohaka the unifier.
Mohaka the life giver.
Mr Speaker the people of Pahauwera comprise a confederation of hapu centred around Mohaka on the Eastern Coast of Te Ika A Maui. Ngati Pahauwera stretches from the Ohinepaka Stream south of Wairoa to the Waikari River and inland to the Maungaharuru Ranges and north to the Waiau River.

In 1994, the Māori Land Court appointed eight people to represent Ngati Pahauwera under section 30 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 for the prosecution and settlement of the Ngati Pahauwera Treaty claims against the Crown. On 8 May 2008, the Crown and the section 30 representatives signed Terms of Negotiation in Wellington. On 30 September 2008, the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera signed and Agreement in Principle which covered the foreshore and seabed interests of Ngati Pahauwera as well as their historical Treaty claims.

On 5 November 2010, Ngati Pahauwera presented a Deed of Settlement detailing the historical Treaty settlements aspects of this Agreement to their people. The Deed received overwhelming support from the Ngati Pahauwera people, and was ratified and signed on 17 December 2010 at Mohaka.

Ngati Pahawuera was represented in their negotiations by the trustees of the Ngati Pahawuera Development Trust, which took over responsibility from the section 30 representatives. The final reading of this Bill marks the fruition of many years of hard work. I would like to commend in particular the current and former trustees of the Ngati Pahauwera Development Trust – Toro Waaka, Kuki Green, Charles Lambert, Gerald Aranui, Sissiel Henderson, Arthur Gemmell, Tureiti Moxon, and Tania Hodges – for all of their hard work and diligence, which has resulted in a very strong settlement. Ngati Pahauwera walked a long path to reach this point and can be proud of what they have negotiated.

I am pleased the settlement acknowledges Ngati Pahauwera’s relationship with their whenua, as well as their relationship with their awa and moana.

I believe this settlement will support the healing of the relationship between Ngati Pahauwera and the Crown. I hope that the apology, which forms part of the settlement, will also assist with this healing. Ngati Pahauwera acknowledge that the Crown’s apology represents its commitment to build a positive relationship with Ngati Pahauwera and to honour its obligations under the Treaty, for the good of this and future generations.

The settlement will be a key step in allowing the iwi to move forward economically and culturally. The $20 million financial redress will provide Ngati Pahauwera with an ability to focus on and develop their future. Today we are celebrating the beginning of a new relationship between the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera. Ngati Pahauwera is demonstrating a spirit of co-operation and generosity in the relationship, by gifting back to all people of New Zealand much of Te Heru o Tūreia.

I hope that the Crown is a worthy partner in this new relationship. I also hope that the people of Ngati Pahauwera benefit from an ongoing relationship between the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera as Treaty partners.

I am pleased and honoured to be here today to mark this momentous occasion, and support the final reading of this Bill.

Ko Tawhirirangi te maunga
Ko Mohaka te awa
Ko Kahu-o-te-Rangi te tangata
Ko Ngati Pahauwera te iwi

I commend this bill to the House.

ENDS

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