Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister for Maori Affairs

1 September 2008 Media Statement
Maori are ready to move forward

“Today’s cut off date for the lodging of historical Treaty of Waitangi claims is the first step towards reaching our goal of settling all historical claims by 2020.” Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia said today.

“In 2005, we announced this Governments commitment to ensuring that a cut off date of 1 September 2008 was implemented for the lodging of all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.

“Over the last month over 800 claims have been lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal, and claims can continue to be lodged right up to midnight tonight.”

“Over the past 6 months we have made huge progress in regards to settling historical treaty claims – this is in itself an indication of the readiness of Maori to settle the grievances of the past and look towards investing in the future of our people.”

“It is of the utmost importance that we recognise the past injustices that Maori suffered at the hands of the Crown – but it is also important that as a people we move forward and get on with investing in the future of our communities and especially our rangatahi.

“Now we can look towards trying to settle all historical treaty claims by 2020. I’m sure it may seem ambitious to some, but 12 months ago people would have thought it ambitious for us to aim to settle forestry claims with CNI iwi and the River claim with Tainui before 2009. Two milestones that this Government has already achieved.

“Today marks another step in the journey to providing Maori with another economic and cultural platform to build a prolific future upon.

ENDS

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