Media Release: Treaty settlement bills passed together for Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa & Taranaki

For immediate release

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Today Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki reached a significant milestone with the third and final readings of each of the Iwi’s Historical Treaty settlement bills being heard in Parliament. The passing of the Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bill, Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill, and the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill means the end of long and intensive settlement journeys for each of the iwi.

While each iwi has had to chart its own course through the Treaty settlement process, the three have worked collaboratively as a tri-iwi, discussing issues of mutual interest, exchanging ideas and providing general support to each other.

Pou Whakarae (Chair), Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust, Will Edwards said:

“For each iwi and every individual, today’s legislation will mean different things. For iwi of Taranaki our colonial history is one of trauma and deprivation stemming from unjust actions by the Crown. Today goes some way towards recognising and redressing that hurt and the wrongs done to our Tūpuna.

Treaty settlements are never easy processes but the kotahitanga that has developed between our iwi has made negotiations easier and positioned us strongly as we commence maunga negotiations with the Crown. Going through the settlement process side by side and exploring how we can make a collective impact together - now and in the future - has strengthened Taranaki Māori.”

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Chair Liana Poutu said:

“The treaty settlement process can often cause new hurts and revive old ones, and all three iwi have experienced challenges along the way. For many of our people today is a very reflective time as we remember the events and people who have led us to this point. It is also an opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved - the sense of kotahitanga in working as a tri-iwi places us in a strong position to address other collective kaupapa in the near future, including customary marine titles and Taranaki Maunga.

In witnessing the unilateral actions of the Crown against existing Treaty settlement rights with the establishment of the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve, we urge the Crown to honour the settlements that have progressed through the house today in the spirit in which they were completed.”

Taranaki Iwi Trust Chair Tokatumoana Walden said:

“The Treaty settlement process has allowed Taranaki Iwi to tell our own stories in our voices from our own perspective which has set the foundation for our redress. We slowed our settlement process down to ensure the Crown made appropriate progress with Parihaka compensation to recognise the atrocities that occurred there and we were unsure that we would progress with Te Atiawa and Ngāruahine. While, the Crown has made some progress with Parihaka and has also determined to nominate a day for national commemoration of the New Zealand land wars there have been some last minute delays to this commitment that have been disappointing. The general public probably can’t appreciate the David and Goliath type setting that occurs in treaty settlements particularly for smaller iwi. Working with Ngāruahine and Te Atiawa gave us a better chance at doing the best for our people – that is what all of this is about – acknowledging the muru raupatu that occurred in Taranaki and the memories of our Tūpuna and creating a vibrant future for our mokopuna. The cohesion that has resulted working alongside our whanaunga as tri-iwi bodes well for the collective consideration of our freshwater in the coming year.”

Commenting on the collaboration between the three iwi, Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Hon Christopher Finlayson said:

“I am impressed with the way Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi have worked together, sharing information and resources during settlement negotiations. Each iwi has its own aspirations and individual settlement but their ability to work collaboratively has helped progress the interests of their people.

“Today is an historic day and I am pleased the third readings could occur in unison to reflect the cooperative relationship between the three iwi which has existed throughout negotiations,” said the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson

- ENDS -

Notes: Each bill is still subject to receiving Royal Assent to enact the bills into law.

Kotahitanga – unity

Maunga – mountain

Kaupapa – significant matters

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