Waikato River Opinion

Today (October 21) a small delegation from Waikato River iwi Raukawa will be in Parliament to support the final reading of legislation that returns Raukawa in law, to our role of guardians of the Waikato River.

Parliament will debate the final reading of the Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill 2010. This important law sees river iwi become partners with the Crown in restoring the health and well-being of the national taonga that is the Waikato River.

It is important for our Raukawa delegation, made up of kaumatua and others from our South Waikato-based tribe, to be present in Parliament as this legislation reaches its final milestone. It is important for our people because for too long Raukawa and our leaders were not present as laws were passed that alienated our people from our role as kaitiaki of this treasured waterway, as well as the extensive lands that its meandering waters traverse.

Our ancestors were often unaware that legislation was being passed that would have a devastating impact on their way of life. The result was the destruction of our traditional way of life and our river - provider of food, transportation and our spirituality. Its waters anointed our newborn, and farewelled our departed. The river is sacred to our people and it is a gift to be protected for future generations.

In the past parliamentary power, as well as confiscation and deception, left Raukawa as voiceless spectators to the river’s denigration. But today (October 21) parliamentary power will be used to uphold our mana and to provide substance and support to our role of kaitiaki of the Waikato River.

For decades the river has been under assault from industry, sewage plants and the effluent of millions of livestock. The once plentiful native fish stocks have been destroyed.

But now Raukawa will join with other river iwi, the Crown and environmental agencies to clean up the waterway. It is a huge job to reverse the damage.

This partnership will set guidelines for the management of the river, its fisheries, flora and fauna.

The third reading will however, unlike the first reading, not have former Act MP David Garrett, to again be the sole political voice to oppose the legislation.

It is disappointing Mr Garrett’s two-year political career did not extend a few more months for him to have remained in parliament to see this legislation enacted. Perhaps now as a private citizen he will be able to monitor the progress that occurs with river iwi and Crown officials and environmental agencies as we work together to restore the river.

Mr Garrett labelled this a process one driven by the dollar and ‘pathetic, misguided attempts at settlement’. He went on to say that he did not see settlements ever ending. This is a misguided and unhelpful view. Raukawa congratulate the Government for having the fortitude to bring closure to the very real grievance of river iwi around the Waikato River.”

Raukawa is also in the final stages of settling the tribe’s comprehensive land claims. If the Crown can maintain its commitment to settle outstanding claims, and nerve, we are confident we will very soon be able to shut the door on grievance and focus our energies on assisting to meet the cultural, social and economic needs of our people and in assisting the communities we share.

Raukawa are a proud yet humble people. We have cherished the lands that have sustained our people for many generations. Our tribal boundaries take in Matamata Piako, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Putaruru, Tirau, Fitgerald Glade, Tokoroa, Atiamuri, Whakamaru and Mangakino. Many continue to retain the names gifted by our ancestors.

We are people who understand the importance of providing for our whanau, our hapu, our people. We were once self-sufficient rangatira of our domains. Over the past 170 years Raukawa and our people, like the river, have become marginalised. Our health like the river's,deteriorated, as did our ability to protect and nurture our own.

On Thursday (October 21) we move some way to correcting this and to providing meaning to the concept of partnership enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi.

Today I am pleased to say that Raukawa continue to grow in our ability to help our own and, in fact, others in our community. Today Raukawa are one of the country's largest Maori social service providers. We offer medical, social work, counselling and youth-focused services to thousands of people and a number of communities.

We are growing the economic base needed to support our 20,000 tribal members who live throughout Aotearoa and overseas.

With the passing of this law Raukawa joins with our partners to work towards the restoration of the Waikato River. Today is a day of progress for our people and all in the communities we share, and we look forward to providing our assistance to ensuring the protection and restoration of the Waikato River.”

Chris McKenzie is the chairman of the Raukawa Settlement Trust.

© Scoop Media