again." In October 1867, legislation had been passed giving Maori seats in Parliament, albeit only four. "If we had half the seats in Parliament we wouldn't be having the trouble we have today," he said. Labour list MP Shane Jones paid tribute to Mr Finlayson, saying he had taken the role of Treaty Negotiations Minister a distance and to a measure no other politician had achieved. "You are not only doing Parliament proud, but, unfortunately for a member of the opposition, I have to say you're doing your party proud," he said. Far North Mayor Wayne Brown saw the settlement as providing new impetus on all levels, and the start of a new relationship, while Tainui Stephens told the gathering that the settlement had been well-earned. He recalled Dame Whina Cooper telling him that there were two ways of doing things, the right way and the wrong way. "Not just over the last decade (of negotiations), but since Pakeha arrived, Te Rarawa have tried to do what's right," he said. And Te Runanga o Te Rarawa chairman Haami Piripi reiterated his long-standing commitment to ensure the iwi looked forward rather than backward, and was inclusive rather than exclusive: "(The settlement) will allow the iwi to exercise its influence and reach its potential," he said. One of the priorities would be job-creation, because it had become clear that no one else was going to do it. "I think it will be the defining difference for the growth of the region. It's