Maori King Welcomes River Settlement Act

The Maori King has welcomed the passage of the Waikato River Settlement Bill.

Kiingi Tuheitia attended the formal proceedings on Friday 7th May when the Governor General, the Hon Sir Anand Satyanand granted the Royal Assent to the Bill in the final step that secures its passage into law.

After his meeting with the Governor General, the King issued the following statement.

“I welcome the passage of the Waikato River Settlement Bill into law. It is another major step in the settlement of our historic Treaty claims. There are more details still requiring attention, but we are now able to build a partnership to discharge our guardianship responsibilities towards the great river that shapes the identity of our Waikato-Tainui tribes and the broader community of Kiingitanga.

“I wish to acknowledge the traditions of respect established by our tuupuna and to thank all those who have contributed to the achievement we have witnessed today. It was particularly pleasing to see both Government and Opposition members supporting this legislation in Parliament, and to hear their statements that this legislation could provide a model for other Raupatu settlements.” I wish to thank and acknowledge those of my people who made the long journey to Wellington to be present in parliament for the final passage of the Bill, thank you.

At Parliament on Thursday, the King was accompanied on to the floor of the House by the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon Dr Pita Sharples, and formally welcomed by the Speaker, the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, for the third and final reading of the Bill.

ENDS

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