Wagner Nicky: Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWagner Nicky: Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 06 August 2013. Volume:692;Page:12420. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Third ReadingNICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central):Ngā manuhirinōNgāti Raukawanau maipiki mai kitōmātou Wharekōreronau mai ki rotoi te kaupapa o terānei.[To the visitors fromNgāti Raukawa welcome to our speaking House; ascend it and participate in the matter for today .]It is good to see the Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill come to the House. I understand how much time and effort goes into getting to this milestone and I congratulate the people of Raukawa on their commitment to their people on their patience on their determination and on their diligence in getting to this place. I alsorecognise and grieve the passing of Raukawakaumātua and kuia who have contributed to this settlement. As a member of theMāori Affairs Committee I promise we will work hard and respectfully to pass this legislation through as quickly and as efficiently as possible. It is always exciting to see another claim nearing settlement. Since we have been in Government since 2008 we have watched 40 such claims and there are more in the pipeline.I come from the South Island. I come from the area the rohe ofNgāiTahu and so I have seen with my own eyes the value of these settlements. I have seen the benefits to the people ofNgāiTahu and I have seen the benefits to the rest of us who live in the South Island. It has been particularly relevant recently after our earthquakes. It has been relevant becauseNgāiTahu are jointly responsible with local government and central government as partners to rebuild Christchurch and Canterbury. They have a strong leadership role in cultural social and business recovery.NgāiTahu took a very important part in the emergency response immediately after the earthquakes and that immediate response has continued. Now they have a particularly significant role in the development and the property sector of the rebuild of our city and our province. I believe that without this settlement which goes back to the 1990s they would not have the capacity and they would not be in the position to contribute so importantly to this role in our time of need.It is right that the grievances of Raukawa have been recognised in this bill it is right that the Crown has apologised for breaching the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles and it is right that the Crown has apologised for its actions during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. It is also right that the Crown apologises for causing suffering for causing hardship and for the demoralisation of the Raukawa people. Looking forward it is also right that the Crown recognises the mana and the rangatiratanga of Raukawa and looks forward to building an enduring relationship of mutual trust and cooperation based on the respect of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.I and all members of theMāori Affairs Committee—and you have heard them speaking today—look forward to working with the Raukawa people and officials from the Office of Treaty Settlements to deliver this claims settlement legislation to the best of our ability and we will try not to take too long either.Nō reira engā rangatiranō Raukawatēnā koutoutēnā koutoutēnā koutou katoa.[So to you the chiefs from Raukawa greetings salutations and acknowledgments to you all. ]