Volume 682 Week 17 - Wednesday 25 July 2012(continued on Thursday 26 July 2012) 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Volume 682 Week 17 - Wednesday 25 July 2012(continued on Thursday 26 July 2012) 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3973. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Wednesday 25 July 2012 
( 
continued on Thursday 26 July 2012 
) 
Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill 
Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill 
Third Readings 
Hon TARIANA TURIA (Minister for Whanau Ora) 
on behalf of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: I move  
That the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill be now read a third time 
. Ki a koutou o Ngati Rereahu hoki ano ra ki a Raukawa Maniapoto Tuwharetoa nga mihi ki a koutou i tenei Wiki o Te Reo Maori. Ka hoki w’akamuri nga w’akaaro ki tera papa a Charlie Wehi kua hinga i nga tau kua hipa. Ko ia te kaikereme tuata’i mo te poraka nei. I tukunga ratou te w’anau o nga kereme ki a Piripi Crown i te wa o tona matenga. Na reira e te matua Charlie kua ea kua tutuki te mahi moe mai ra. Huri noa ki a koutou o Maraeroa tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
To you of Ngati Rereahu and back also to you Raukawa Maniapoto and Tuwharetoa acknowledgments to you in this Maori Language Week. My thoughts go back to that elder Charlie Wehi who died some years ago. He was the original claimant for this block. When he died the family of the claims took them to Piripi Crown. So I say the work has been completed it has been done elder Charlie you can rest there peacefully. And turning to you all Maraeroa salutations acknowledgments and congratulations 
.] 
We are honoured to welcome to the House the descendants of the original owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks: Ngati Rereahu Maniapoto Ngati Raukawa Ngati Tuwharetoa and other iwi and hapu. Today is a significant day an opportunity to set the record straight to acknowledge harms incurred to put words to an all too familiar legacy of loss and dispossession. 
This story starts in the midst of the volcanic plateau to the south-east of Te Kuiti. The Maraeroa A and B Blocks are a subdivision of the Taupo-nui-a-Tia West Block which was part of Te Rohe Potae district. Maraeroa is the location of significant wahi tapu. Within the Maraeroa Block rests the eponymous ancestor Rereahu protected in the village of Nga Herenga. The land is also rich in resources regarded as a kono kai from which a wide range of food could be harvested for all the iwi of the surrounding districts. Into this lush location came the Native Land Court and therein lies the history of grave injustice and dispossession. 
The combined operation of the Native Land Court and Crown purchasing breached the Treaty of Waitangi and was inconsistent with its principles. The Crown failed to ensure the owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks benefited from the sale of native timber on their lands. Survey discrepancies reduced the owners’ ability to even manage their own land. Over successive years the people lost access to their wahi tapu nga wahi kohinga kai their cultural resources and materials for construction such as raupo for building w’are. In all their cultural connection to their ancestral lands was undermined the lands more susceptible to partition fragmentation and alienation. 
Today we face this history and we start a new chapter. These bills mark the beginning of a new relationship with the descendants of the original owners of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks. A new era began in September 2008. Draft terms of negotiation were signed with Te Maru o Rereahu Trust and the Crown commenced exploratory work with Ngati Rereahu interests in the blocks. The parties reached an agreed offer in July 2010 and then initialled a deed of settlement in December of the same year. The Crown signed the deed of settlement with the descendants of the original owners on 12 March 2011 at Pa Harakeke. 
As part of the process of healing and resolution the settlement bill formalises the Crown’s apology wherein the Crown profoundly regrets and unreservedly apologises to the descendants of the original owners. There is acknowledgment that the Crown and private parties benefited from the milling of the indigenous forests and that the milling of their forests removed the habitat of indigenous species. We learn in no uncertain terms that failure to protect the collective tribal structures had a prejudicial effect on the owners. 
The settlement bill includes the vesting of six sites of cultural and historical significance $50000 to purchase land of cultural significance a high-level partnership agreement with the Department of Conservation over lands within Maraeroa A and B Blocks an overlay classification over Pureora o Kahu 12 statutory acknowledgments over culturally significant sites on Crown land two official geographic name changes a financial settlement of $1.8 million the option to purchase part of Pureora North Crown forest licensed land and receive the associated accumulated rentals from the Crown Forestry Rental Trust and the right of first refusal over certain Crown properties. 
It is always impossible in describing such measures to really understand the impact of these initiatives in helping to shape out a new story for the descendants who will inherit this legislation. The two bills together the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill provide a road map for future prosperity and well-being of their people. It has been a long and complex journey since 1884 when the Crown monopoly over purchasing altered the course of history by the sweep of a pen. I want to mihi to the trustees of Te Maru o Rereahu Trust who gave their time energy and determination negotiating this settlement on behalf of all the descendants of the original owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks. It is especially important to acknowledge Piripi Crown Brian Stanley and Glen Katu for their skilful leadership in guiding the negotiations. 
The legislation has been shepherded through the process due to the efforts of a highly diligent and enthusiastic Minister the Hon Chris Finlayson a constructive chair an efficient Maori Affairs Committee and the united commitment of this House to move these bills through in an expeditious way. 
Finally I want to refer to the words of Nopera Panakareao who at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 said: “The shadow of the land goes to Queen Victoria but the substance remains to us.” Less than a year later he was to say: “The substance of the land goes to the Europeans and the shadow only will be our portion.” Today we hope that the cycle comes full circle and the substance returns to its rightful owners. I commend these bills to the House. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour—Ikaroa-Rawhiti) 
: 
 Tino mihi atu ki a koe motokorero i roto i te Whare nei i roto i totatou Reo i te mea ko teneiano Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori e mihi kauana ki a koe. I a koutou e tautokotia atu te timata o te whakaotinga nei a totatou tuahine a Tariana mo koutou e pa kaha atu i konei Piripi me Glen koutou katoa tena koutou. E mohio atu tatou e roaroa hoki atu te tae i te wa nei; e mohio atu koutou ki ngataumaha ngapiki ngahekeengari e kaha atu koutou hei taetae atu i te rangi nei. He tino rangi nei mo koutou orite atu koutou ki tonohanga he roroa atu mai i te wa o te Whare Miere nei engari e mihi kauana tena koutou. Tena koutou moto kaha moto manaaki i a ratounga uri i timata atu i te ahua o te whenua nei a Tuwharetoa a Maniapoto a koutou o Rereahu me ratou o Raukawa e mihi kauana ki a ratou katoa nga rangatira o terawa me koutou katoa o teneiwa. Tena koutou moto kaha rawa i te tae atu ki konei hei rongo ki te otinga nei. 
E tika atu i runga i te tu nei e mihi kauana ki te Minita a Chris Finlayson motona kaha i te tae atu i konei. I a ratoungaKaimahipera i a koutou e Hone tena koutou. Teraano te mea i roto i te koreromo te Whare nei “E waihotia atu tatou ratou.” E mihi kauana ki oku hoa mahi o nga tau o murira a Michael Cullen ma e whai atu ki te take nei. E whakaaro atu i te rangi e tae atu tatou i te tuwheratia o te whare mo te turuhi i toratouwahi e timata atu tatou te hainatanga o te haerenga o te kereme nei. No reira e mihi kauana ki a koutou ki a ratou tenatatou i a ratou e kore i konei ngatupakeke e whai atu i tenei tino take e mihi kauana ki nga rere haere tenatatou. 
[ 
I really congratulate you on how you use our language in this House as this indeed is Maori Language Week. Well done. As far as you others are concerned I endorse the start of this settlement process by our sister colleague Tariana for you and how you persevered to get it here Phillip Glen all of you. We know that the journey to arrive at this point in time has been a really lengthy one but despite the burdens the ups and downs you worked hard to get here today. It is a great day for you. Like your long wait back home it seemed even longer waiting for this Beehive but I salute you—greetings. Thank you for your strength and the respect of those the descendants who began these land matters of Tuwharetoa Maniapoto and you of Rereahu and Raukawa; I acknowledge the leaders of those times and you all of these times. I commend you for being so resolute to get here to hear this settlement. 
It is apt while I am on my feet to acknowledge the honourable Minister Christopher Finlayson and his efforts and those staff like you Hone—thank you. There is a message in a quote about this House that goes like this “Leave it well alone to us and them.”I acknowledge former work colleagues of the past like Sir Michael Cullen who addressed this issue. I recall the occasion when we were at the opening of a tourist centre in their area where we initiated the signing of the commencement of this claim. So I acknowledge you them us all and those who have passed away; greetings to us all 
.] 
 The people of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks comprise hapu affiliating to Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Raukawa. So it is interesting in that sense that this settlement is certainly about the uri of those original owners and that they were dispossessed through actions of the Crown is something that is etched in our history. That the Crown saw fit to purchase under duress and unnecessary pressure where the people wanted to lease lightly is something that we are putting right today. Maraeroa in its own right has significant wahi tapu—there are significant wahi tapu there—that the people certainly have preserved not just in their hearts and minds but in practice over the years. And now to have the free run of those and that everybody else understands that it is their area is something that we need to celebrate. 
The area was shared with many iwi who were able to come and go fetching food and other relevant supplies to help their survival. It is a wonder that these four iwi come together and I think it is a common collective that other iwi and other organisations in this country should recognise because clearly at times it is not easy. I know that in the common Pakeha world it is not easy bringing the Churches together even though they pray to one God so it is great that iwi as great as Rereahu Tuwharetoa Raukawa and Maniapoto have seen fit to come together to help this bill progress. 
Tariana mentioned those efforts by Brian Stanley and Phillip Crown—and I really want to mihi to Phillip who has put a lot of effort into this over the years. He has certainly shown what rangatiratanga is about. He has certainly shown what leadership is about. But I also want to recognise Glen Katu for his sterling support and awhi—genuine awhi—to make sure that this settlement got here. So in the sense of that it is important that with pride and fondness you know I do recall signing the terms of negotiation at the opening of their tourist centre. It is quite a fascinating place Maraeroa. Like where I live it is out in the sticks but it is a great paradise in that they have kept up with being a modern iwi in the sense of the corporate affairs they have. The businesses that they have are a good example to the rest of the country but they see fit to not just talk the talk about the new generation but practise that and that they have an environmentally friendly tourist centre is something to be recognised and again celebrated. And it has been a long time coming to today. It certainly has not been without their effort and that of officials and the Crown. 
Unlike other settlements this settlement is for the descendants of the original owners of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks. That is one group of the seven that were split up and partitioned as I recall. To keep that connection not just through the cultural sense but through the bloodline sense the whakapapa sense is something that is certainly stirring. Whakapapa and cultural connection to what the old people have left behind generally gets put asunder by either dastardly deeds or people over-modernising and forgetting what really has given them the right to put their mantle down and stand tall as those people of that area. This in itself for me is one of the interesting settlements of these times because it is generated out of the effort of a whole lot of iwi but it is also something that is consistent with maintaining—and not just re-recognising but ensuring—that people know who the descendants are and who the uri are of those people and they need to be commended for that. 
 The Government recognises that through the native land laws and the operation of the Native Land Court the Government failed to adequately provide for the original owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks and there is a raft of stories in relation to what went on in Maraeroa A and B Blocks. The settlement bill also records an apology to the descendants of the original owners of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks for historical acts of omission by the Crown including native land laws and again the operation of the Native Land Court which led to the alienation of the Maraeroa lands. I think that those who understand the practice of alienation and the journey through history know that it is something that is very hard to turn round and to take back to rightfully recognise what was wrongly done. I think that the effort by the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations the officials and everybody in this House in trying to ensure our part as members of Parliament is put right is something to be very proud of. 
I offer congratulations to Te Maru o Rereahu Trust and trustees who represented the descendants of the original owners. But it is also important to recognise the transfer of a number of sites of significance to the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation and there are a host of them. Tariana Turia went through them and other speakers will go through them. 
I do want to reiterate that this is a very very substantial settlement in the sense of what it is more so than the quantum. I always like to suggest to the Minister that the quantum is a bit on the low side. He could make an effort and he could do that today and even at this late notice step it up a bit—he might feel generous when he gets up to speak. But it certainly is about the practice the design of it and putting something terribly wrong right. 
Apart from that it shows the cohesion the effort and the persistence of these people who have been here to represent their people to get there through the long haul. They have come in few numbers today but there are plenty of them up there in the gallery. I remember going there and watching these kids sitting in the trees looking down at us wondering where the hell we came from. But it is something they need to be commended for and I certainly am proud to be one of the members of Parliament here today to see the end of it and to thank them for their effort and again thank the Minister and the officials. Kia ora tatou. 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 E nga mana e nga reo e rau rangatira ma tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. I am very pleased to take a call to speak in these third readings of what are known in Parliament as cognate bills. The debate brings together a bill that is promoted by Mrs Turia as the local MP the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill and also the bill that gives effect to the settlement the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and I am very grateful to Mrs Turia for her help during the parliamentary work that has been going on during the last couple of months. 
I too stand to welcome the representatives who have come here today: the people of Ngati Rereahu Maniapoto Raukawa Tuwharetoa and the other iwi and hapu whose ancestors make up the original owners of these blocks. I welcome you. I know that some of you have travelled a long distance to listen to the third readings of both these bills which as I have said are being taken together. Today is very important for the descendants of the original owners of the blocks and the Crown because there have been as previous speakers have said serious Treaty grievances. They are being addressed through this legislation and that is going to pave the way for a very positive future. I too acknowledge all those who have worked so very very hard to bring us to this time: the leadership who have provided that necessary inspiration; the negotiators who have worked for their people; and the descendants of the original owners. 
I also want to acknowledge my fellow members of Parliament for their work. As Mr Horomia said that started under the previous administration when he and Dr Michael Cullen—Sir Michael it is now—were very involved in the terms of negotiation. After the change of Government in 2008 we continued that work. But these Treaty settlement bills are necessarily bipartisan work. Yes one administration pushes it along but we rely very heavily on the support of the other big party in Parliament which understands that these are not mere deals; they are something more profound and more sacred than that. They are essential to the life of our country—undoing the burdens of the past so that we can move on together. 
 These blocks as Mrs Turia said are situated on a volcanic plateau to the east of Te Kuiti and both she and Mr Horomia have very carefully and comprehensively set out the detail of the grievances and the redress. I do not think I need to repeat that material lest it be thought I am reading my speech—a charge that is sometimes quite inaccurately and unfairly levelled at members of Parliament of all parties. Sometimes people take offence at that particular charge but so often one then has to move on and demonstrate by one’s words that one is not actually reading a speech at all.  
We are allocated 10 minutes but I do not think we need to fill the House with 10 minutes of our wisdom; sometimes a short pithy and focused address is what is required. But I do want to acknowledge the support of all members of Parliament. The Maori Affairs Committee is a very important select committee in this place run under the chairmanship of the resourceful and the indomitable Mr Henare. He grabs hold of these bills when they go to the select committee and he and his colleagues deal with them very efficiently indeed.  
The only other point I wanted to make is to pick up on what I think Louisa Wall said last week which was that these are important occasions for Parliament. I cannot see it from here but I would be surprised if anyone from the press gallery was here today. I think it is a great dishonour—oh no it was Brendan Horan I think who said it was a great disappointment—because today we are dealing through extended hours and then this afternoon with the third readings of four settlement bills. I think they were described in the newspaper last week as small settlement bills. Well I actually think that term is rather offensive because all bills are important all Treaty grievances are unique—to use that term as it should be used—and all are very important to the future of our country. The quantum in this matter may be relatively small—and Mr Horomia always does that trick of standing up and saying in the third reading speech from the comfort of Opposition: “Oh you could increase the quantum.”; it is a little ruse he and I have—but none the less these are very important matters. They are important to the country and they ought to be publicised a lot more than they are.  
So that is I think enough from me. As I have demonstrated I am not reading my speech. I am very happy—very happy—to welcome the good folk of Waikato here today. I thank them for their perseverance and their hard work. This is a great day for you and I very much look forward to a positive relationship between the Crown and the incorporation in the years to come.  
That often is regarded as some kind of formulaic statement but it is not. It is very important and somehow we have got a lot of work to do on it to make sure that the undertakings that are given in settlement bills are carried through in the years that follow. I think one of the big problems is that the Crown does not always possess the institutional memory that it should. It signs up these deeds of settlement in good faith thanks people for their efforts promises a good future and then as officials change and time moves on it tends to forget. Well it cannot forget and institutionally I think we have got something to work on to make sure that in the years to come the undertakings that are given in these bills are in fact honoured. 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato) 
: 
 Tena koe tena koutou. Tenei e tapiri atu aku mihi ki era i ruia mai i mua i te aroaro o te Paremata ki a koutou Ngati Rereahu Maniapoto a koutou hononga ki Tuwharetoa Ngati Raukawa ka nui te mihi atu ki a koutou. Tenei te honore kia tu i mua i a koutou i tenei wa ki te tuku i a matou tautoko mo nga wawata i roto i te pire nei. Ki a ratou i huri ki tua o te arai ki tera o nga kaumatua a Charlie ka nui nga mihi ki a ia me ratou katoa e moemoe ra i tenei wa. E whea nga tau kua hipa kia tae atu ki tenei rangi ki te tutuki enei o nga kaupapa. E hari koa ana te ngakau ki tera. 
[ 
Thank you and greetings to you collectively. I add my acknowledgments to those ones cast by others before Parliament to you Ngati Rereahu and Manaiapoto and your connections to Tuwharetoa and Ngati Raukawa a huge tribute to you. I am honoured to stand before you at this time to give our support in regard to the aspirations in this bill. To those who have passed on and to that one of the elders Charlie a huge tribute to him and to all of the others resting there at this point in time. Many many years have passed by before reaching this day whereby one of these matters is concluded. I am very happy about that. 
] 
It gives me great pleasure to be able to join those speeches that have already been given in the House today to support the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill. My only regret is that this was not done when I was the local member but I am pleased that Minister Turia has been able to ensure that in her time this particular agreement has been reached. 
I have no fear for the opportunities that lie ahead of Ngati Rereahu the descendants of the owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks and what they will be able to create from this particular opportunity. I too am not going to go through the history of the legislation except to comment briefly that as these lands abut the Pureora a hotly contested space between Tuwharetoa Raukawa Rereahu and Maniapoto I think the far-reaching ambition of a settlement like this is what the economic opportunity could hold for certainly the descendants who will benefit from this legislation. Economic development in this particular part of the country is no new thing. I am ambitious for the aspirations of the descendants of this settlement to see that from small things great things will grow. 
Minister Turia and Parekura Horomia pointed to the Pa Harekeke development but really the context of that development was in the space of their tourism potential. If you get people to come to New Zealand albeit they go to Auckland we all know they go to Waitomo; if they could travel through the beautiful Pureora on their way to Taupo or Rotorua we are all winners—and on the way back through Maungatautari may I add. But this is the broader regional tourism strategy that could be leveraged off a settlement like this with some of the developments that are currently happening in this particular area. 
Also under the banner of Maraeroa they have been no stranger to forging new opportunities and being a bit brave and taking risks in the space of new developments. I am pointing specifically to the ginseng initiative and looking for export markets in places such as China. There will be a lot of leverage off this particular settlement. When is enough ever enough one might say on the matter of Treaty settlements? I would say from a historical perspective probably no Treaty settlement has addressed fully the level of historical hurt that has been caused but I am under no cloud of a doubt that the opportunities going forward look bright. 
This Maraeroa A and B Blocks Settlement Bill is being heard co-jointly with the incorporation bill which is a private bill. The unique thing about that is that specific claimants are identified as beneficiaries of the agreements that have been reached here today now. Again I would add that in the day and age of comprehensive settlements what Maraeroa have been able to achieve for their direct descendants is I think something of an ambition for many areas whose people themselves feel pulled and constrained by having to come together under a larger collective and comprehensive settlement. Where it is possible I think the go-forward learning opportunity—and certainly Minister Finlayson you have set the foundation for that—if it can be reached where direct descendants can be compensated for a particular grievance is a model that we should aspire to try to achieve if the very purpose is to ensure that the direct benefits go to those descendants. 
Within the context of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks there will be other comprehensive aspects to settlements around them that no doubt they will be involved with but I want to say that the particular agreements with say for example the Department of Conservation are to be supported. One of the names mentioned in this House often on this legislation is recognition of Piripi Crown who recently received a Queen’s honour. We were very proud as a people to be able to support that honour because he has made a huge contribution not only in the preservation of local knowledge and history and iwi knowledge and history in the wider Maniapoto area but also in his tenacity to ensure that those values associated with the Department of Conservation estate can be shared with every New Zealander who has the good fortune to pass through the Maniapoto region. He has added so much richness to our tribal knowledge and our historical knowledge of those Department of Conservation estates. I am only too pleased to see that that can continue. 
Minister Finlayson you made the comment that it is your great desire to see that the institutional learning and knowledge of Treaty settlements can be carried forward. I too have the same expectation because I think when we consider what happens beyond Treaty settlements it is that institutional knowledge that will make a difference. The devil of the detail is all in the eating and in the implementation. What we do see many times throughout this Treaty settlement process in the post-settlement phase is a little bit of a lag time because people change in the Government sector and then iwi have to retell their stories and try to develop new relationships. It is my sincere hope certainly from this side of the House that we can work on strengthening our collective response to improving the ability for iwi to go forward. I can see the scenario that where you have Treaty settlement tribes who are looking forward to the future because they have settled the historical grievances of the past they are able to leverage from their Treaty settlements in a way that the Government says: “Well look you’re a Treaty settlement tribe.” and if they have got a submission that goes to the Ministry of Science and Innovation or to the Ministry of Education they have a place of priority because they have already gone down the path of resolving their historical grievances and they want to focus on the future for the benefit of their people. 
Certainly in regard to Maraeroa A and B Blocks as I say I have no hesitation about what the future holds here as long as the leverage of their relationship can be realised through some very strong innovative projects in the space of tourism in the space of innovation and in the space of developing new export markets for economic potential. 
With that brief contribution I would like to commend the Government for giving this matter urgency and priority. To the local member Tariana Turia thank you. Your commitment to Maniapoto and the wider Maniapoto region is acknowledged. To the Maori Affairs Committee to the advisers and to the Office of Treaty Settlements officials who labour long and hard on behalf of the Crown—and who I am sure enjoy many Panadols after each session that they have on the various Treaty settlements they work on—I want to commend you for your work on these two bills. Kia ora. 
DAVID CLENDON (Green) 
: 
Tena koe Mr Speaker. Ko te mihi nui o te ata ki a koutou. On behalf of the Greens we add our greetings to and our acknowledgment of the representatives who are in the House today of Ngati Rereahu Maniapoto Tuwharetoa Raukawa me nga hapu katoa o Te Rohe Potae. We acknowledge the very long and difficult journey that has hit a milestone today. We acknowledge those who have done a great deal of work in the past but sadly are not here to see the fruits of that effort and we acknowledge the current leadership of those people who today are seeing some recompense some return of their mana and some acknowledgment of the very difficult time that has gone on. 
As well as offering some recompense to the individual cases to nga hapu and to nga whanau settlement bills also create a very important and powerful historical record of this country’s history. Within the text of each of these bills are the stories the histories the explanations the knowledge. They make a huge contribution potentially to the general knowledge and understanding of all New Zealanders of the need to resolve the inevitable issues that have emerged from our history—our very rich and interesting history but one that has nevertheless left grievances in its wake. By combining that collective knowledge and experience and making it accessible to people in this way the legislation does provide a very powerful mechanism for increasing understanding and acceptance of the need to go through these sometimes difficult processes. 
I recently found myself in one of those conversations that unfortunately I am sure we have all experienced with a person who insisted that “this whole Treaty business” as he liked to call it should simply be put aside because: “It’s all just something that happened in the past. Let’s just get over it and get on with the business of the day.” The encouraging thing is that one finds oneself having that conversation less often. I think there is much more general acceptance that only by going through these sometimes painful processes will we get genuine resolution of past grievances and create the opportunity create the platform for both Maori and non-Maori to advance and to aspire to a future that we can all share and thrive within. 
I am always reminded of the wisdom I think—albeit he acknowledged wisdom in hindsight—of David Williams who some years after his own term on the Waitangi Tribunal proposed that perhaps we had jumped too quickly into the settlement process and that perhaps we ought first to have gone through something like a truth and reconciliation process to get buy-in to use that phrase to the necessity of working through these settlement processes on the individual bases on the individual claims. We did not do that of course but I do think there is some sense in that when as well as dealing with individual claims and processes I think we all need to advocate very strongly for the contemporary importance in the 21st century of resolving historical grievances and creating those opportunities that are so richly deserved by people who have suffered over many generations from the unfortunate actions of the past generations. 
These cognate bills these two bills being taken together—the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill—are of particular interest. This is my first experience of a bill that creates this legal entity this incorporation which will effectively be the manager or the overseer of the outcome of this legislation. I think that principle of an incorporation captures quite nicely the approach of Maori historically because we know that the resources—the very rich resources—in the area under discussion in this legislation were shared amongst the hapu who have been named and described. It captures the notion that resources could be shared could be collectively enjoyed and benefited from. I think the notion of an incorporation does something to turn back the practice of the Crown particularly in the mid-19th century that sought to divide and rule to divide to assign individual title to these blocks rather than allow the collective mechanism the negotiated mechanism to advance as it had done for a very long time. It is a nice step back to a principle and to a practice that did work for Maori for a very long time—the notion of sharing resources and collective benefit from that sharing. 
The point has been made that these settlements as well as healing the past and as well as restoring mana to those whose mana has been trampled create an economic platform for development. The point was quite rightly made by Mr Horomia that it is unfortunate there seems to be a distinct lack of media interest in some of this. The very positive exception to that of course is Maori Television and I look forward with real interest to a forthcoming series about economic development within Maoridom—some good-news stories about Maori converting settlement money and other resources into building an economic future for themselves and for their people. I know that one of the episodes in that series will specifically refer to the ginseng project—the Maraeroa C Incorporation initiated process. It is an innovative project. It is one that will give an income a high-end income to the people in a particular area. I think we need to celebrate those successes and look forward to these settlements the material return—the money and the land that is involved in these settlements—being converted into a much better and richer future for Maori. If Maori do well we know very well that the rest of Aotearoa will do as well also. 
So with those few words I simply would reiterate our regard for the work that has been done and the long toil of the hapu concerned. Also I have to acknowledge Mrs Turia for her specific work in this and her commitment to this kaupapa this particular legislation. We look forward to a much brighter future as an outcome of this and other settlements. Kia ora koutou. 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
: 
 E nga reo e nga mana e nga hau e wha tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. I would like to say that I am very privileged to be able to stand here today and speak on these settlement bills for the Maraeroa A and B Blocks the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill. 
Can I say as a new member of the Maori Affairs Committee that it is a good hard-working committee that seeks to bring the best solution to these settlement claims. Even last week when the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations came in there was very strong support and recognition for his work right across the committee. So I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work that the Hon Christopher Finlayson has been doing in these last number of years seeking to bring durable redress to settle not just claims but hearts. I think that is important to note. I noted his words that these settlements lift burdens. It is not just the burden of grievance but the burden of irresponsibility of the Crown in the past to have seen some of these things take place. 
I believe that today as we go through these third readings it is a wonderful thing a celebration to see those burdens lifted and to see the redress and the acknowledgment and the return of mana and the return of culturally significant wahi tapu areas and also to see commercial redress come to the people of this particular area in the central North Island which I have driven through I would think probably three or four times over the last 3 or 4 months and certainly it is a beautiful part of our nation. 
I think that what we see in the settlement process is not just the redress of the past which is incredibly important. I would like to acknowledge the tipuna who suffered that loss in the first instance and also those who through the years lived in memory of that loss those who are not here today cannot be here today. You here now carry their hearts with you and today you can have that sense of celebration and settlement in your heart as well that things have progressed as they ought to have progressed. 
As to what this does I believe in terms of our nation we are a small nation but we can be a great nation no matter how small or large we may be. That is going to be based upon the partnership of people. That is going to be based upon respect and acknowledgment—acknowledging that people have their place and it is their place—as we are more united with all the differences that make this an intriguing place Aotearoa New Zealand. As we acknowledge one another with respect and give due place and enable people to stand and have economic independence I believe that we will go from strength to strength. Many of the things that we are redressing have caused weakness not only weakness for hapu and iwi but also weakness through the fabric of our nation. So it is with great gladness today that I stand in support of what is happening here. 
I acknowledge the work of the Minister and also the work of the Maori Affairs Committee. I also acknowledge the work of the negotiators both for hapu and iwi and for the Crown. I trust and hope that today will be a great day of satisfaction for all. Kia ora. 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 Before I start I would like to reiterate some of the words of my colleagues about the press. Here we are this is Maori Language Week and they cannot get off their backsides and be in that gallery. Yet this afternoon at 2 o’clock they will be there clinging on to the slightest thing they can find. They will be judging parliamentarians’ literacy skills and you will see it in the headlines tomorrow. And yet here we are today a landmark day in New Zealand’s history where stories are rich—some stories today are going to be devastating stories. They are our history and the history of New Zealand but are these foreign-paid journalists here? No. 
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman 
: This is a really bad idea. 
BRENDAN HORAN 
: A really bad idea? I do not care what they print about me. I am telling you how it is. They should be here. They had warning. This is an important day. 
All over New Zealand and indeed in parts of the world people are actually live-streaming this broadcast and watching. For those people I think it is important that the stories are told so stories can be heard and understanding given. 
Ka tangi te titi ka tangi te kaka ka tangi hoki ahau tihei mauri ora. E nga iwi e nga reo e nga mana e nga matawaka tena tatou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. E rau rangatira ma ka mihi ake i runga i te karanga o te ra. Tena koutou tena koutou tena ano tatou katoa. 
[ 
The muttonbird and parrot calls and I call as well behold the sneeze of life. To the tribes languages authorities and kinship groups greetings salutations and acknowledgments to you all. To the many leaders of a hundredfold I acknowledge you on the call of the day greetings greetings and greetings to us all 
.] 
I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to support the third readings of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill. This is one of the longest court disputes in our country’s history starting in the 1800s. 
Three brothers spent around 50 years fighting for thousands of acres of native forest land some of it confiscated by the Government under the guise of unpaid surveying fees and in some cases dubiously bought. As records indicate from different deeds of sale in the 1890s some of the sellers were as young as 1 year old. That sounds ridiculous does it not? But it is all well documented and sadly many of these happenings are merely a microcosm of what happened all over New Zealand. The three brothers were Wehi Te Ringitanga Taroa Te Ringitanga and Tutaki Te Ringitanga. With today’s agreement to settle and an unequivocal apology from the Crown these three tupuna can now finally rest in peace. 
The land in question is special for many reasons. Aside from being fertile forestry land—I would add that during the 1960s the Pureroa and Maraeroa Blocks were the largest supplier of native timber in the world—it is also the place where Rereahu died. Rereahu was the father of Maniapoto and his older brother Matakore and also the uncle of Karewa and therefore we have the hapu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Matakore and Ngati Karewa. 
As far as settlements go there is real generosity of spirit shown by the claimants in settling for 2500 acres with 500 hectares of that being gifted back to the Crown for a wildlife corridor between two forestry blocks and much of the other land there under certain conservation covenants. The financial redress amounts to just over $2 million with an extra $40000 set aside for the buy-back of 2 hectares being the actual area where Rereahu died which unbelievably sadly and for all intents and purposes is now owned by the Chinese owners of the Crafar farms. However with the apology a shift of consciousness is granted and affected descendants can now move into a consciousness of self-responsibility and self-determination. 
This settlement is and has been an extremely complicated journey and New Zealand First congratulates the generosity of spirit of the claimants in settling so that people can truly move forward Maori and Pakeha together. 
 I would also take this moment to acknowledge two of Ngati Maniapoto’s giant totara—their kaumatua. The first is Piripi Crown one of the negotiators and a caretaker of immense knowledge not only for Tainui but for all Maori. I would also give Piripi’s apology for not being here today. He would if he could but he is bravely battling cancer. He is doing OK but he is just not well enough to be here today. I know that he is at home and watching us on parliamentary TV right now. 
The other kaumatua for special acknowledgment is former Labour MP and Minister Koro Wetere. Koro will probably be embarrassed by this acknowledgment because apart from being cursed with extreme good looks he is extremely modest. I want it known that New Zealand owes Koro a debt of gratitude as he was the driving force behind the 1985 change in legislation that allowed Treaty settlement claims—historical grievances—as far back as 1840 to be heard. Prior to that change one could claim back only to 1975. So thanks to Koro historical grievances can truly be heard shared and accounted for as well as important history acknowledged and greater understanding—between Maori and whanau hapu and iwi and Pakeha—granted. 
Koro cannot be here today as well and I offer his apology as he is over in Perth Western Australia. But he assures me he is not one of those young people who has gone and is not going to return. On behalf of Piripi Crown and Koro Wetere and in the spirit of today’s kaupapa I will now deliver their waiata. 
Tena koutou e whanauma 
Kua tae mai nei i teneira. 
No reira ra e hoa ma 
Kia ora ra koutou katoa. 
Kuarongohokiahau 
Kuarongo hoki ahau 
Kuarongo hoki ahau kei te haere mai koutou. 
Noreirara e whanauma 
Kia ora ra koutou katoa. 
[ 
Greetings to the family 
Who have arrived here today. 
And so therefore friends 
Acknowledgments to you all. 
I have heard 
I have heard 
And I have heard that you are coming. 
And so therefore family 
Acknowledgments to you all. 
] 
Na reira Rereahu te iwi Miringa-te-Kakara te marae. Maraeroa te aro o te hapu hoki mai kua iti nga whenua. Tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
So Rereahu is the tribe and Miringa-te-Kakara is the marae. I say unto the subtribe pay attention to Maraeroa—very few lands are coming back. Acknowledgments to you all 
.] 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 Te mea tuatahi he mihi pouri au ki te teina o taku hungarei i hinga atu inanahi ra. No reira e Mere hoki atu ki te kainga. I te taima nei i haere ia ki tana ukaipo ki tana whanau no reira haere atu ra haere atu ra haere atu ra. 
A koutou ma nga mihi nunui ki a koutou i haere mai nei i runga i te kaupapa o te ra nei. No reira ka nui te mihi ka nui te ora ki a koutou katoa. Ki oku tuakana Parekura tena koe mo to kaha mo to tautoko i tenei kaupapa i roto i tenei Whare no reira he mihi nui ki a koe me o hoa. Ki oku hoa nei i roto i te Ropu Nahinara kei runga i te Komiti Maori tena koutou tena koutou i o koutou manaakitanga i nga manuhiri i mua i te komiti nei. No reira tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
First of all I have sad tidings about my mother-in-law’s younger sister who passed away yesterday. So return home Mary. At this point in time she is on the way to her birthplace to her family so farewell farewell farewell.  
A huge acknowledgment to you collectively who came here because of today’s bill. So I admire and feel much benevolence to you all. To my senior colleagues—Parekura I acknowledge your strength and support in this matter in this House so big ups to you and your fellow colleagues. Also to my fellow members of the National Party on the Maori Affairs Committee I acknowledge the part you have played in looking after visitors who come before that committee. So thank you all 
.] 
Vincent Van Gogh once said: “Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together.” I reserve that quote from Vincent Van Gogh for our Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations who I must say has been rather dynamic in bringing together the Treaty settlements since we got into the position of being in Government in 2008. So I hope he continues on in his vein of wanting to bring together settlements for the nation so that the nation moves on to its next stage—as I mentioned in the House last week—in its fantastic tapestry of stories. 
 I will not speak for that long on the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill or the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill. Suffice it to say that what we have here is a convergence of mana a convergence of Tuwharetoa Rereahu Raukawa and Maniapoto. It is similar and I liken it to looking at a map of America. Down the bottom part of the map of America is the convergence of four states; it is called Four Corners. The Navajo and the Hopi people live in and around the Four Corners. It is I think from memory Utah Colorado New Mexico and Arizona. This is what I liken this settlement to today: it is a convergence of mana a convergence of iwi wanting to get on wanting to move from one stage to the next. 
I am heartened to hear the words from my colleague and friend the Hon Nanaia Mahuta who talks about the fact that one of the issues that we could see coming out of this settlement is the burgeoning tourism opportunities that people have. But I do have a message for one of the parties in this House: step aside from being too intrusive in terms of the Resource Management Act and let these people just get on with it. I will not mention the party because they have their kaupapa and it is their kaupapa. But like I said suffice it to say they should have a little bit of faith in the people who are wanting to establish businesses and establish ventures that will eventually help the others. 
The last thing I want to say is that it is quite unusual to see two bills together like this. One is about the post-settlement governance arrangements and one is about the settlement itself. I am also mindful of the comments of the Hon Parekura Horomia where he said that it is not much and maybe there should be more. I think every member of Parliament in this House realises that it should be more. It seems when we are doing Treaty settlements that there has always been an economic crisis because we are the ones who have to accept the lower amount. Hoi ano kaoretera e hoha au ki takuMinita. [ 
I will not bother my Minister with that 
.] 
This is a fine day this is a good day and we should revel in the fact that we have reached this stage. It is not the end of the story by any means but it is certainly part of the story that if you were to turn the page tomorrow it would be the start of a new chapter. A hoi ano kaore au i hiahia ki te whakahoha i a koutou; no reira ka mihi ki a koutou katoa ngamorehu o ngaaitua. Koutou ma tena koutou tena koutou kia ora mai tatou katoa. 
[ 
So I do not want to bother you lot with that so my acknowledgments to you all the survivors of the tragedies. So salutations acknowledgments and congratulations to you and to us all 
.] 
LOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr. Speaker. E nga mana e nga reo rau rangatira ma tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. Ko wai au? Ko Tongariro te maunga ko Taupo te moana ko Waikato te awa ko Ngati Tuwharetoa me Waikato nga iwi. Nga mihi nga mihi nga mihi ki nga whanau me nga hapu o Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa me nga whanau o te Rohe Potae tena koutou tena koutou tena tatou katoa. 
[ 
Thank you Mr. Speaker. To the authorities languages and the many leaders of a hundredfold greetings greetings and greetings to you all. Who am I? Tongariro is the mountain Taupo is the lake Waikato is the river Ngati Tuwharetoa and Waikato are the tribes. Acknowledgments greetings and salutations to families and subtribes of Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa and King Country. Greetings to you all. 
]  
It is my pleasure to be a member of the Maori Affairs Committee. I represent the electorate of Manurewa and I also sit on that committee with my colleagues the Hon Parekura Horomia and Rino Tirikatene. I want to acknowledge our chair the Hon Tau Henare and also the two Ministers who are overseeing these two bills the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill and the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill the Hon Chris Finlayson and the Hon Tariana Turia. I am really privileged to be on the Maori Affairs Committee. 
It is a privilege to be part of this Treaty settlement and redress process. It is a process that I think affirms tangata whenua identity that affirms mana whenua identity and that affirms the status of our hapu and our iwi in our country as the first Sovereign. I want to acknowledge that status and the acknowledgment of that status through that process. It is a status that needs to be acknowledged by everybody. We are not just another racial group in Aotearoa we are not just another ethnic group and I think that this process consolidates that for all of us. 
I want to take the opportunity to talk about some of the wahi tapu sites that will be returned in this settlement process. The reason I want to highlight the return of these wahi tapu sites is because of how precious this whenua is for the whanau of Maraeroa. We have the return of Nga Herenga Koromiko Kotukunui Pikiariki Whareana and Pureora o Kahu. There is also an acknowledgment of the historical and traditional sites of Nga Herenga Pa site Nga Turi o Hinetu Te Punawai a Waipapa and Opaku. 
What I want to say is that this Treaty settlement process actually started in 1891. It did not start post-1985 when the Crown established the process. Actually it started right back in 1891 when the lands were taken. I want to acknowledge what Brendan said about the three brothers and the fight for justice that the whanau of Maraeroa have gone through like every other iwi group in our country. It was not some other group who confiscated these lands who perpetrated these inequalities; it was the Crown. So I want to acknowledge really the generosity of spirit that Brendan talked about and the ethic of generosity in the settlement of all Treaty settlements because what we do know is that iwi and hapu get a fraction of what they are entitled to. It is just a fraction but with that fraction I know that it will multiply. 
So I share my colleague the Hon Nanaia Mahuta’s position that the whanau will now have an asset base and it is for us to do with that asset base as we want to. If we look at the history I will use Nanaia’s tribe of Tainui. They got their settlement. It was $170 million and now that asset base is more than $650 million. So what we do know is that Maori are definitely going to be part of the future fabric and economic drivers of the New Zealand economy. 
I want to acknowledge also the ethic of forgiveness that these Treaty settlements actually provide our country with. It is that forgiveness about what has occurred in the past: the fact that lands were taken they were taken under duress and they were taken because surveyors did not survey the lands properly. But basically they were taken to give to other people to build an asset base whereby they and their families have been able to enjoy a quality of life that unfortunately some of our whanau have not. So I celebrate the opportunity of our whanau to have this asset base and to actually realise what tino rangatiratanga means. For a lot of us you cannot have tino rangatiratanga if you do not have a whenua to stand on if you do not have a base a capital base to be able to build a future for whanau. 
So I just want to thank the whanau of Maraeroa for this settlement. I will acknowledge the Crown’s contribution to it but a lot of the people involved in the Crown’s part of the equation are paid employees. The whanau are not paid. The whanau have come down here of their own volition. We have not given you any money to be here and you are here because this really provides a starting point for you to get on and contribute positively as you already are doing to our country. So I want to acknowledge the opportunity that this settlement provides. 
But I also want to highlight the post-Treaty relationship that all iwi need to start forging with the Crown. That post-Treaty settlement is about our taking our rightful place around some decision-making spaces in our country whether it be on the conservation board whether it be a formal part of resource management processes—whatever they might be. The post-Treaty phase for whanau hapu and iwi is about our being around that decision-making table. So I acknowledge all whanau who are here today. 
I just want to reiterate again that it is a privilege for me to sit on the Maori Affairs Committee. It has been a pleasure for us to be involved in this bill and the further bills that we will hear today and I commend the bills to the House. Thank you. 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 Tena koe e te Kaiwhakawa. Tena koe e te Whare. Rau rangatira ma tenei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ra. Tena koutou nga iwi rangatira o Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Raukawa me Ngati Tuwharetoa. Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. E te Minita ka pai ka pai te mahi. No reira e te Whare tena koutou. 
[ 
Greetings Mr Speaker and the House. I acknowledge you the many leaders in respect of the matter of the day. Salutations to the chiefly tribes of Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Tuwharetoa. Greetings and acknowledgments to you all. It is a task well done Minister. So congratulations to you the House 
.] 
 I am proud as a member of the Maori Affairs Committee to stand in this final reading of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks settlement legislation. I think these third readings are a really special occasion for the House and for every parliamentarian but more important for those of you who travel to witness this very special occasion. So I welcome you here and I thank you for being part of this very special day. This settlement is of course in the volcanic plateau to the east of Te Kuiti which is of course very strongly connected to my heart as the member of Parliament for Taupo. 
I just want to reflect on some of the comments that my colleagues have made and in particular just talk about the benefits that these sorts of Treaty settlements bring because I do not think it is something that we reflect on often enough. I am particularly proud of this Government’s record in bringing Treaty settlements to a conclusion for a number of reasons. I do want to acknowledge Ministers Finlayson and Turia for working at the pace that they do to bring these to their conclusion so that we can have days like today. If I look at the wider Waikato region and the absolute powerhouse that Tainui have become it really provides me with such excitement about what is possible for our wider region with these sorts of settlements. 
I look back at an experience I had recently which was attending a tourism meeting in the small town of Mangakino. I heard about some of the tourism opportunities that have sprung up around that area that highlight the beauty of the Pureora Forest. The thing that really impressed me was the fact that they are able with this business opportunity to share the stories—to share your stories—with others and to have it as a completely experiential visit. It is completely in partnership with the environment. I think that there are so many opportunities. They weave in the stories of your culture and the stories of that place and share them with others. I think it is really fantastic that that is one of many businesses that are popping up around Pureora. 
For the wider Taupo electorate as Nanaia Mahuta talked about as well there is an area there that is somewhat undiscovered—not of course for the iwi but for many others. If we look at in the northern area the mighty Maungatautari we are finally seeing that there are stories being shared there. If we look at the development of the Waikato River trail there are areas of beauty that are finally being opened up and that benefits all of us. It is also no surprise as we talk about the volcanic plateau the level of energy that is there. I am sure that as my colleague Tau Henare says the convergence of iwi and the convergence of mana brings great energy to the district. 
I do also want to bring back into the House the comment that was made by Brendan Horan. I agree that the stories of days like today the stories about the conclusion of your journey are not shared widely enough. As fantastic storytellers that is the one regret I have—that the stories of occasions like today are not known widely enough. I have looked at media reports in this area to see what local reporting there has been of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks and I have found nothing. That saddens me because it means that the wider community does not have sufficient understanding of your history of your journey and of this story. I do think it is important that we are able to share the stories to share the stories of the past and the conflict but more important to share the stories of the resolution. That is the story that will take us forward: the story of the resolution of the conclusion that has been reached on the Maraeroa A and B Blocks for Rereahu for Maniapoto for Raukawa and for Tuwharetoa for your descendants for those who will benefit not just for today but for tomorrow. So that is one plea that I do have: that we collectively make sure that the stories of these settlements are shared. 
It has been interesting because you have demonstrated your ability to resolve differences and I think the other thing that is not shared enough is that these are occasions where every political party in the House votes unanimously. It does not happen that often. But the ability of us to work together as a House to make progress in these Treaty settlements to make days like today possible is because of a high level of cooperation among all the political parties in the House and the management skills of the select committee chair Tau Henare. I do have to say though—I do not want you under any illusion—the Maori Affairs Committee does not always work smoothly. We do not always agree. We do have some rather robust discussions and debate which I am sure you would agree is necessary from time to time. As my colleague has just piped up behind me he said that sometimes it is not just across the select committee; it is within political parties as well. 
I am very proud to be here with you today to share in your story and to help your word get out in the success and the resolution of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks settlement claim. Congratulations. This is a day that we shall remember and celebrate where iwi come together where the community comes together and I believe the country should come together. No reira tena koutou. 
RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) 
:  
Tena koe. Tena koutou e te manuhiri tuarangi nau mai haere mai ki te Paremata e takatu nei tena koutou tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
Thank you. Greetings to you the visitors from afar welcome welcome to Parliament in readiness here salutations and greetings to you all. 
]  
It gives me great pleasure to speak at the final reading of these two bills for the Maraeroa A and B Blocks. May I acknowledge the claimants with us today those descendants of eponymous ancestors of different but related iwi. This is the uniqueness of this claim. The claimants are related by whakapapa to common ancestors who roamed between Taupo-nui-a-Tia Kawhia and Maungatautari long before the Treaty was signed in 1840. 
 These illustrious tupuna go back hundreds of years before Captain Hobson had even heard of Kororareka the Bay of Islands and Waitangi. They go back to a time of the extended whanau of Raukawa and his sons and grandsons and the relationships they had with the lakeside people of Tuwharetoa who were the descendants of Tia of the Te Arawa canoe and Raukawa being of the Tainui waka. And while there was the decision to allow a claim that for all intents and purposes pre-dates the Treaty the reality is that this type of historical korero of whakapapa and whanaungatanga is common throughout all Aotearoa. Indeed there is no Maori history without whakapapa.  
The descendants of the original owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks acknowledge the special nature of this settlement and they acknowledge the leadership of Te Maru o Rereahu. The descendants also have interests in other claims via their separate iwi such as Raukawa Maniapoto Tainui waka among others. 
May I make mention of a particular area of interest for me in this whole affair—that is the Maraeroa settlements—and that is the work of the Crown surveyors discrepancies in surveys and the survey cost. It is a real mamae that has really hurt these descendants these whanau. As Mr Young mentioned it goes to the heart of irresponsibility of the Crown in the past.  
In 1866 surveys for the blocks were incomplete and sketch plans only were available. The absence of proper surveys caused discrepancies. Consequently there was alienation of land and therefore alienation of the owners’ mana. It seems to me that the work of Stephen Percy Smith Surveyor-General who went on to become an ethnologist and recorded a lot of Maori history needs to be called into question. For want of not following a ridge line to its conclusion or a creek to its source these claimants have been alienated from thousands of acres—4200 to be exact. I am not calling into disrepute his honesty in what he recorded but how he recorded it. The Crown’s mistakes have led to people being given mana by being named on ownership lists only for another inquiry to take that mana away by the removal of those names; back and forward it went on and off the list—not satisfactory at all. I will make mention of the survey costs and how they became a burden for most of the owners. The only way out from such a burdensome debt was to alienate their land an outcome all too inevitable and seemingly underhanded.  
I mentioned in my second reading speech the role of whakapapa and how the hapu that settled the boundaries between iwi were generally takawaenga families that joined one iwi to another. This is true of all takiwa and rohe throughout the motu and the uri of this bill are no different. But I make the point that this case is for all Maoridom because to understand again and acknowledge whakapapa is to understand and acknowledge Maori history.  
I would like to echo and support—tautoko—the comments that have been made by colleagues around the House in terms of this settlement and the significance of it of this historic occasion. I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora tatou. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
: 
 It is my pleasure to take a call on this settlement bill the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill today. Today is about righting the wrongs of the past. I would like to acknowledge the presence of the iwi and hapu groups here today. You may be small in numbers but you are mighty in every other way. I would also like to acknowledge those who came on the journey—this very long journey that you have been on—and who are no longer with us today and all the work they have done to ensure that we are here today for the third reading of this settlement bill. I would like to acknowledge your graciousness in allowing the Crown to apologise and remedy the past. I would also like to acknowledge the Maraeroa A and B Trust and also the chair Phillip Ngawhira Crown for all the leadership you have shown. Sometimes we as members of Parliament sit back and look at the true leadership you have shown and the hardship you have gone through to get here today.  
This deed of settlement was signed on 12 March 2011. It has got to this House pretty swiftly for this type of settlement bill. I would like to acknowledge Minister Finlayson and Minister Turia for the work they have put into this bill but also the Maori Affairs Committee under the leadership of Tau Henare. He has always said of every bill that comes to our committee on Treaty settlements that it must move swiftly through the select committee and that it needs to come into the House very quickly because iwi have waited long enough to have their day in this House. 
This is about remedying the wrongs of when the Native Land Court was operational and when the Crown purchased the majority of blocks and the iwi received no benefits from the redistribution of their lands and forests. This deprived iwi in many many ways: spiritually of their land and it deprived future generations of culture of heritage and of tradition. But today right here right now is about focusing on the future. It is about developing and investing in the social economic and cultural aspects of the redress package. It is about the future generations to come. This redress package includes historical acknowledgment vesting sites of cultural and historical significance a partnership with the Department of Conservation over public conservation lands a financial settlement of $1.8 million and redress over Crown properties including licensed forest land. But most important to me it records the apology from the Crown for past wrongs. 
This is a settlement that is future focused. It is a settlement that is going to move iwi forward and move future generations forward with prosperity with spirit with tradition and with culture. Today will be part of history. We hear from the other speakers how important it is that we tell our stories of the history and what has gone before where we are now and what there is for the future. With my other colleagues I find it disappointing that the media do not show an interest in this because they do record our future they do record our past and they do record the present and they are not here doing that today. I think they have let New Zealanders down. 
 These Treaty settlement bills to me are two pillars between iwi and the Crown. They are pillars with which we can move forward. On the Maori Affairs Committee we are very focused on these bills getting here very quickly. We have many Treaty settlement bills in front of the select committee and they are very important. We focus and prioritise all our work around iwi and those bills. We travel around New Zealand when we are doing these bills in the select committee so we hear everybody’s voice in relation to these settlements. That is very unique for a select committee to do. 
I wish you well for your future I wish the next generations the very best and I cannot wait to hear the stories coming out from this settlement and what iwi have done with that. Thank you very much. 
Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill read a third time. 
Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill read a third time. 
Waiata 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: As has been customary when we are progressing settlement bills there is another group who wish to enter the gallery. If I can ask the whanau who have been here for these particular bills to exit the gallery to allow the whanau for the next bill to come in. There will be a delay in proceedings while that does happen. 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is important that the whanau up there know that they are also welcome to stay. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: That is true. I thank the member for his point of order. I was not aware that the whanau for the second bill were already seated. They are welcome to stay if they wish to. I am not requesting that anybody leave so if I have inadvertently given that message I do apologise. Whanau are welcome and there is plenty of room. There is plenty of room around the sides. Given that explanation and that I am now aware that the whanau from the second bill are present I will call Government order of the day No. 3. 
Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill 
Third Reading 
Hon TARIANA TURIA (Minister for Whanau Ora) 
 on behalf of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: I move  
That the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time 
. Whakapaura te maunga Rotoehu te moana Whakahau te tangata Makino te iwi. Ka nui te mi’i ki a koutou Ngati Makino kua tae tinana mai mo tenei te panui mutunga o to koutou pire. Kei te mi’i ’oki au ki a koutou kia kawea nei tenei kaupapa no reira e te takitahi e te takitini tena koutou tena koutou tena tatou katoa.  
[ 
Whakapaura is the mountain Rotoehu is the lake Whakahau is the person and Makino is the tribe. I acknowledge you greatly Ngati Makino who have arrived here in person for this the final reading of your bill. I pay a tribute to you who will take up this matter so to the individuals and the very many salutations acknowledgments and congratulations 
.] 
We shift our gaze of focus from Te Kuiti to the land of Ngati Makino from Lake Rotoiti and Rotoma to the coast. As we gather here today never far from our thoughts are those who have carried the mantle for Ngati Makino over a long and arduous journey. We think in particular of the legacy left to us by Kawana Te Kirikau Koro Tawa Hoani Atutahi Whakarewa Hunuhunu and others. 
There is no clearer context for this bill other than that set by Te Ariki Morehu so I open with his words before us: “Ngati Makino has suffered loss of life land and authority as a result of egregious Crown action. War and raupatu were inflicted upon Ngati Makino which destroyed their political cohesion splitting the iwi and pitting individuals and hapu against one another. These deleterious impacts were further compounded by court structures and land laws which were utilised in a way that eroded the mana rangatiratanga and traditional Ngati Makino tribal structures. The cumulative effect of the Crown’s actions rendered Ngati Makino virtually landless as they were stripped of possessions and deprived of benefits that were used to contribute to the wealth of New Zealand.” The palpable grief and anger are inherent in the story told by Te Ariki one that is too often shared by other iwi. The historical grievances relating to the New Zealand Wars the operation and impact of the native land laws the Crown’s land and purchasing techniques and 20th century issues relating to public works and scenic reserves takings are all effects and experiences of colonial rule that have left a lasting impact on the hearts and souls of iwi throughout this land. But when the story is overlaid with the dire impacts of the Bay of Plenty confiscation one begins to understand some of the scope of the settlement that we are debating today. 
By 1992 only 0.6 percent of the combined area of the three major blocks in which Ngati Makino had interests remained in the hands of the iwi—0.6 percent. Is that fair? Is that just? Is that the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi represented today? We say it is not. One of the most significant aspects of the legislation we will pass through the House today is that the Crown acknowledges that certain actions or omissions of the Crown arising from the interaction with Ngati Makino breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles. 
The final acknowledgment states: “Through these acts the Crown its Ministers and government departments have dishonoured the Treaty of Waitangi its principles and its spirit denigrating te mana motuhake o Ngati Makino. In so doing the Crown acknowledges that it has brought dishonour upon itself.” These are very strong words and they represent how seriously the Crown understands its obligations to restore peace and justice to the people of Ngati Makino. 
It now falls time for these grievances to be lifted. The negotiations that have been led by Awhi Awhimate Te Ariki Morehu Morris Meha and Neville Nepia have resulted in a series of measures including that eight sites of special significance will be transferred to Ngati Makino totalling 720 hectares. Three sites will be vested with Rotoehu Conservation Forest: Te Kohanga Nga Porotai-o-Waitaha-a-Hei and a 3 hectare site for a wananga; and there will be whenua rahui for over 256 hectares of Lake Rotoma Scenic Reserve. 
The financial compensation includes $6.7 million quantum and $3.6 million for the delay in settlement 3450 hectares of Rotoehu West Crown Forest licensed land right of first refusal over five sites of public conservation land and opportunity to enter a sale and lease-back agreement over Otamarakau School. The recognition of the delay in the process is an important feature of the settlement. The year 2012 marks two decades since the first claim was filed by Kawana Te Kirikau. 
 In 1998 terms of negotiation were signed with the National Government and the Ngati Makino Heritage Trust but with a change of Government the Crown withdrew from negotiations and Ngati Makino were once again forced back to the Waitangi Tribunal the High Court the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to protect their position. It was no doubt small comfort that in 2004 and again in 2005 the Waitangi Tribunal found that Ngati Makino had suffered prejudice as a result of the Crown delays in negotiating with them. We acknowledge today the frustrations and the despair that accumulated over the drawn-out negotiations and we hope that this settlement today will alleviate that sense of injury. 
Now it is time for us all with the benefit of hindsight and in the spirit of optimism to support the aspirations of Ngati Makino in moving forward. The Ngati Makino legislation represents efforts to restore and reconcile a relationship between the Crown and Ngati Makino and in this regard I want to mihi to those amongst us in this House who have worked hard to advance this settlement—the diligent Minister Finlayson and the Hon Tau Henare—and I acknowledge too the contributions of the Hon Dr Sir Michael Cullen and the Hon Mahara Okeroa who all played a part in smoothing the pain to reconciliation. 
Alongside of the historical account and the Crown acknowledgment statutory acknowledgements and the deed of recognition there is also an investment made in ongoing dialogue. Protocols are to be established with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and with the Ministry of Economic Development in respect of Crown minerals and there will be letters of introduction with local government agencies and the Minister of Housing. A pathway to the future is charted with a payment of $500000 to identify social service needs and $1 million for the restoration of six marae in the Ngati Makino rohe. These are all milestones along a journey to move out the process of settlement and to reconstruct the collective capacity of the people. 
In this spirit it is only right to return to the words of Ngati Makino in the submission presented by the chairman Awhimate Awhimate. He said: “Those who have stood at the forefront of our waka I acknowledge you. In particular to those kuia koroua who stood with pride and dignity to always preserve enhance and maintain the mana of Ngati Makino. Their diligence determination and fortitude allowed us to maintain our identity our individuality against oppressive governments who thought we were better served being ‘clustered’ and absorbed with other iwi. Through their perception wisdom and foresight we finally emerge from this process ‘mana enhanced’ ‘mana intact’. This settlement is the enduring legacy they leave for our tamariki for our mokopuna and generations to follow; that Ngati Makino stand on their own mana and we will be recognised hence forth in our own right an iwi among iwi.” I commend this bill to the House. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour—Ikaroa-Rawhiti) 
:  
Tika atu i runga i te tu nei e mihi kauana ki a koutou katoa e whai kaha atu i konei i te wahi nei i te Whare Mieremo o koutou kaha. Ki a koutou ngatupakeke i a ratou e rere atu e kore i konei e tangi ana te ngakau. Engari ki a koutou katoa e noho ana ki nga roto i te wahira o to hau kainga e mihi kauana. E mohio atu tatou te roaroa haere o te kawenata nei. E rongo atu koutou ki ngaahua o ngapakanga ki te tahae hoki o te Kawana nga raruraru peratonu i te mahi porotehe o wetahi o ngakaimahi o te Kawana. E pai ana e tae atu tatou i te rangi nei hei whakatikatika i terataumaha. No reira koutou moto kaha ki te tae ki konei e Makino e mihi kauana tena koutou. E tika atu i te mihi atu ki ngatupakeke te koroua Te Ariki e mihi kauana. Mai raanotonakorero i tu mai ngawahi o nga marae e kaha ana te koroua ki te korero atu mo te ahua o tona iwi. No reira i a koutou katoa tena koutou.    
[ 
It is appropriate as I rise that I acknowledge you all in your efforts to come here to this place the Beehive. I salute your efforts. I also pay a tribute to the elders and those who are no longer with us. I mourn them. I also acknowledge those living by the lakes back at your homelands greetings. We know this settlement has been a long journey. You have heard the nature of the fighting the theft by Government problems like those relating to protest actions by some Government workers. We have reached this day to remedy that hardship and that is great. Therefore I commend your efforts to get here Makino well done. It is right that I acknowledge the elders in particular Te Ariki. I commend you. From the outset he has stood up on marae and vigorously debated the plight of his people. So I commend you all 
.] 
It is certainly an honour to be part of this great end today. It would never meet the heights of what it should be. But certainly I want to commend the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson for his effort; past colleagues Michael Cullen Mahara Okeroa and Mita Ririnui; and Minister Turia. We join with them in bringing what has been a long journey—at times unnecessarily long—to fruition. It is important to congratulate and thank Awhi Awhimate like I said the koroua Te Ariki Morehu Morris Meha Neville Nepia the Ngati Makino Heritage Trust and—as usual in naming people you are leaving people out—all of those other people involved. At times it is a risky thing to name people because you forget some auntie or uncle. But I certainly want to mention kuia like Te Hirata Sykes and those ones who have been there from the beginning to now and recognise that they have played a part in it and that they have shown the way forward. So kia ora koutou. To the officials thanks again. At times it is an unthankful job but certainly they fared well in this one. 
The record will tell us that the land deeds and practices of the agents of the Crown were certainly unwise unjust and unfair. We can wax lyrical about how bad they were but in this case they were terrible and the fact that they removed rights and removed property is something that the Ministers past and present have tried to put forward. The Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill recognises through an apology to Ngati Makino those historical acts including the battle of Kaukauroa. That was huge land confiscation and it was unfair. Of course among Makino at the time there were differences between those who supported the Kingitanga and those who stood neutral and in their own sense they chose to do their part but certainly the British and the Crown did not care where the parties were and they did what they did. 
The transfer of the eight sites of significance to the Ngati Makino Heritage Trust is critical as is the whenua rahui classification of over 256 hectares of the Lake Rotoma Scenic Reserve which provides for the Crown to acknowledge Ngati Makino values in relation to the area. I think taking on from earlier speakers it is intrinsic in the sense of their cultural inheritance and their whakapapa that those values can never be put asunder by any deed or charter of the Crown. That can be recognised no differently than for the different parishes in this country that tend to serve one person and the other Pakeha organisations that seem to be differing in their views but certainly get to a collective point at a time of moving against Maori. 
That is what Ngati Makino need to be recognised for. They have more than pulled themselves together as I heard one person try to say the other week. There has never ever been a problem about them being who they were; it is about the perception of those people who have worked with them. This is an iwi who have stood the test of time and who have decided to go to where they have gone to. In the sense of the cause and the neighbours and whanaunga it is interesting the way that they started off. There was a deal approached to getting towards where they have got to today but they had different time lines and separate journeys and they chose to do that. 
We can cite the quantum as Minister Turia has spoken about—the money—and at the end of the day it is there and they will manage it well. They are pretty good at that. But in relation to the classifications and the jurisdiction that the Department of Conservation has Minister Finlayson I see that it has the authority again to allow easements or whatever else. Very interesting Minister—here we go again. So I want to say again Minister with regard to all these ministry thankyous and activities that you have promised that they will enact with iwi you must keep your finger on it. You know there is a bit of a history developing of these tari—these ministries—saying: “We’re going to do this. We wrote it in the charter. Here we go.” So again I respectfully suggest Minister that you keep an eye on it. If you are too busy you get Minister Turia or somebody else—or me—to watch them and I tell you I will keep an eye on them. 
Seriously it is something that our people need. It is something that they need. Let us not just be hodgepodge as it was in 1863 and 1853 and let it just drift by. So again Minister I will not ask you to increase the quantum this time but I will ask you to make sure they do the job. That is really important. I have been around long enough to hear people say: “Yep we’re going to do this.” and then they are talk about a green bike and they end up with a broken-down horse. So in relation to that I want to commend the Minister for getting through with this thing. 
The purchase of the balance of the Rotoehu West Forest licence land will provide for the transfer of approximately $9.9 million in accumulated rentals to the Ngati Makino Heritage Trust. That is really great and it is great that hopefully as the Deputy Speaker understands the interest will be going with the money. Kia ora Minister. You can look up now. 
 But look those old people need to be really commended for this effort—and all of them who have turned up here today. Some of the faces are very familiar. They have been along the battered highway of reproach to try to ensure that they get this settlement out of the way and that they can create a better lot for their people. 
I want to commend the chair of the Maori Affairs Committee Tau Henare for his efforts. I feel sorry for him because he has gone back to smoking. But I want to mihi to him because he really puts the effort in and makes sure we toe the line to get this stuff through. I want to mihi to the chair of the Maori Affairs Committee. We are overworked but like you said being on the Maori Affairs Committee is like being in the All Blacks. It is not like the Warriors. So I want to recognise the chair of the Maori Affairs Committee and all the other members there who have helped us to get to here. That he has got a bit of publicity today is another issue because he is a great bloke and I will not get into his point of difference with who he has been disagreeing with. But I know he agrees today about how great this settlement is for the Makino people. 
No reira teraano te whakaaro i roto i a au. I a koutou e kaha ana i te whakatu mana to whakapapa e mihi kauana. Ahakoangapiki ngaheke e pai ana te ora te whanaakuni e putaanamo te pai o te rangatahi. No reira i a koutou katoa nga rangatira nga koroua kuia te rangatahi pea o NgatiMakino e mihi kauana. Kia pai te hoki ki te kainga ki te wahi pai e mohio atu koutou. Tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
So that is my view. I really applaud your efforts to give your genealogy status. Despite the ups and downs benefits and funding for the young people will emerge eventually. Therefore I commend you all the leaders the old and young ones perhaps of NgatiMakino congratulations. A safe return home to the refuge that you know is good 
.  
Greetings to you all 
.] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 Ko Te Arawa te waka ko Matawhaorua te maunga ko Waitahanui te awa ko Otamarakau te marae ko Ngati Makino te iwi rau rangatira ma nau mai haere mai. Haere mai ki tenei ra nui tino whakaharahara mo koutou mo te motu. Na koutou te kaha na koutou te manawanui kua tata te mahi. Kei te mihi atu ki te hunga kua mene atu ki te po haere nga mate tena tatou. 
[ 
Te Arawa is the canoe Matawhaorua is the mountain Waitahanui is the river Otamarakau is the marae and Ngati Makino is the tribe; welcome leaders of a hundredfold welcome. Welcome to this great and wonderful day for you and for the nation. You have been strong and stout of heart. It is nearly done. I pay a tribute to those who have assembled in the void farewell the dead and acknowledgments to us. 
]  
I am really pleased as the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations to speak in this third reading debate and I reflect on those words: “Haere mai ki tenei ra nui tino whakaharahara mo koutou mo te motu.” This is a day of significance and importance for the iwi and for the country. Those sentiments need to be emphasised time and time again because I know what is going to happen at the end of the day. I will have received some emails as other members will have received and they will fall into two distinct categories—two groups of people both of whom are ignorant mean-spirited and wrong. 
On the one hand there will be those who just do not like settlements. They say a people should just get on with it and not dwell on the past. I am sure Mr Horomia will get a few of these as well. 
Well in our own way over many years both major parties in particular—and through them the country—have developed a method of historical dispute resolution that is the best in the world. It has been a bipartisan effort. In 1975 it was the late Mat Rata who set up the Waitangi Tribunal when Bill Rowling was Prime Minister. In 1984 the jurisdiction was extended so that the tribunal could inquire into grievances like this one which go back many many years. 
In 1990 it was Jim Bolger and Doug Graham who said that all these reports were starting to pile up and something needed to be done about them. So in 1995 there was the first settlement with the late Bob Mahuta and Waikato-Tainui and in 2008 when this Government came in it committed itself to an aspirational goal—not a deadline because deadlines do not work but an aspirational goal—of just and durable settlements by 2014. When people say: “2014—why?” well you have only got to look at the example of Ngati Makino. Their claim was lodged in 1995 and yet the deed of settlement was signed by us at Otamarakau Marae on that beautiful day 2 April 2011. So there is much to be done if we are to reach a stage where there are just and durable settlements for all iwi who are willing and able to settle. 
Then there are those in the second category to which I referred who dismiss what is going on today as mere deals. These people have never been involved in negotiations they have not even read the history but they still purport to know it all. 
Well I particularly want to focus on Ngati Makino today but very briefly one can say to look at the bills we are debating today and I thank the House for facilitating that. All of them are truly unique in the real sense of that word. All reflect the special history of what has happened. We have just had the Maraeroa claims. That was not an iwi settlement but it was a bloc claim brought by various people from a number of iwi. We are now dealing with the Ngati Makino claim about the sufferings that occurred during the strife in the Bay of Plenty after the war between the Crown and Kingitanga spilled over into the Bay of Plenty in around 1863. This afternoon we will be looking at the Ngati Rongowhakaata claim and particularly the unique aspect of that is what happened to Te Hau ki Turanga when it was basically stolen and put in a museum and it is now going back to where it should be. Then there is the Ngai Tamanuhiri claim—again suffering in Tairawhiti but it has its own distinct history. 
I think a hugely significant part of the legislation that is crafted as a result of the combined efforts of the Crown and iwi is the preamble the history and the acknowledgments by the Crown. Those acknowledgments are not made lightly. They are made as a result of a very detailed analysis of the history and a recognition in 2012 that what happened in the 19th century in this part of the world was not good and that it needs to be acknowledged by the Crown. Those who are critical of Treaty settlements for one reason or another should read the preamble and should read the acknowledgments because the history matters. I often think that so often people focus on the commercial redress but the historical redress is an important—a very important—pillar of a settlement. 
 So in the deed of settlement and again in this bill the Crown acknowledges breaches of the Treaty and the impact on Ngati Makino of those breaches. Mrs Turia and Mr Horomia have referred to those breaches but it needs to be emphasised time and time again that by 1900 Ngati Makino as the preamble says were virtually landless and yet in the 20th century the Crown compulsorily acquired further land for public works and to establish scenic reserves. As Mrs Turia repeated on a number of occasions by 1992 only 0.6 percent of the combined area of the three major blocks in which Ngati Makino had interests remained in the hands of the iwi. 
When those acknowledgments are given by the Crown they are genuine and they need to be reflected on by all New Zealanders because the Crown through its Ministers and Government departments did dishonour the Treaty and demeaned Ngati Makino in the process. As both speakers have said now with the passage of this bill and the Royal assent hopefully later today or tomorrow it falls time for these grievances to be lifted. It is the real desire of the Crown to build a foundation of trust and commitment so that both parties can work together to revitalise te rangatiratanga o Ngati Makino. 
Mr Horomia is absolutely right—and it was a point I referred to during the earlier debate—that it is all very well for the Crown to give its undertakings and to send off the letters to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and various other people but the proof of the pudding as the old saying goes is in the eating. Whether or not the Crown does seek to revitalise with Ngati Makino te rangatiratanga o Ngati Makino will depend on how the Crown deals and works with the iwi in the years to come and whether or not the fine words that are spelt out in the bill are honoured in fact through practical action. That is why Mr Horomia and I are singing from the same song sheet when we say that it behoves the Crown regardless of administration—administrations come and go but the obligation on the Crown is ongoing—to make sure that what is agreed in the deed of settlement and given effect to in the legislation is honoured in the years to come. 
I want to acknowledge all the people who have come to Parliament today. I know that for some it has been a very very long bus ride and then this afternoon it will repeat itself. I thank you for your work over all those years. It is all very well for Ministers and officials as we are the ones I suppose who do it in work time. So often people who are acting for their iwi do it in their own time at some considerable financial cost and I sincerely hope that in the years to come your efforts will be recognised and realised. As I said the Crown’s work is not over; it is just the beginning. I commend this bill to the House. 
LOUISA WALL (Labour—Manurewa) 
: 
 Kia ora. E nga mana e nga reo e nga whanau o Ngati Makino tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. It is my privilege as a member of the Maori Affairs Committee to stand and to korero in this the third reading of the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill. I actually want to start with the Ngati Makino website which I have just pulled up. I wanted just to say that preserving Makinotanga is one of the primary objectives of your Ngati Makino Heritage Trust. It is great to see that you are already in the process of moving on with your settlements. I wanted to just read some of the objectives for you in terms of the settlement which are about restoring Ngati Makino ownership and control over your ancestral lands resources and taonga tuku iho; to establish an economic base for the iwi of Ngati Makino; to promote the education health employment and commercial opportunities for the people of Ngati Makino; and to promote and protect the tikanga kawa culture and Te Reo of Ngati Makino. 
All of those things we acknowledge today have been compromised because of the Crown’s historical acts. Through the process of colonisation your identity has been stripped away from you like a lot of hapu and iwi in Aotearoa. Really this process for us is our truth and reconciliation process. So today is a very special day and I am incredibly privileged to be part of the process. We have a role here in Parliament. This third reading once this bill is passed will enable you to move on. I want to acknowledge all of the tupuna—and I see some of our tupuna here in our photos—who have fought for many years to get to where we are today and I acknowledge the journey that you have all taken to be here today. 
I think it is really important when we have these Treaty settlement bills in the House that we actually outline what the grievance is because this is a record in the  
Hansard 
 a record in our history about what happened to Ngati Makino. Ngati Makino had lands taken from them in 1865 because they were deemed to be rebels. What was their rebellion? It was probably living their lives as Ngati Makino. That was your rebellion. So the Crown confiscated lands. They gave them back to you and then they took them off you because the people that they gave them back to were deemed to be rebels. I think it is appalling when we consider the fact you are getting only 0.6 percent of the original lands that Ngati Makino had. I think the acknowledgment of that fact has to be one of generosity; that we as a people of Aotearoa have to say to Ngati Makino: “Thank you.” It is through your generosity that we can move on as a country. Where I think this Treaty settlement process fits in New Zealand’s history is actually about us being able to move on and to enable you to have some resources where you can do all the things that you want to do. 
 So the process today and our standing up here today is all about trying to get the resources in your hand. What I do want to note is that the New Zealand Conservation Authority will have to give regard to Ngati Makino’s values and protection principles in relation to the 256 hectares of Lake Rotoma Scenic Reserve. I hope in that process it will be about Ngati Makino naming the places that are of significance to Ngati Makino. Some of the challenges and ongoing challenges in the future will be to make sure that this clause that is in the bill actually enables you to own the lands and all the areas that you have mana whenua over. So they are going to be some of the challenges in the future and we will be keeping an eye on them. Obviously we are here because if you do have problems in the future you come back to my boss Parekura Horomia and we will make sure that your rights and interests are safeguarded. This Treaty settlement process is about empowering you— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Order! 
LOUISA WALL 
: —“you” as in Ngati Makino; I apologise Mr Speaker. It is about making sure that Ngati Makino whanau have the tools that they need to make the relationship actually real and that is the challenge when we look at these Treaty settlement bills. 
What I do want to highlight and talk about is the whole process of redress. I know that the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations said this is not about deals; this is a settlement. But what it is also about is an ethic of generosity again by our hapu and iwi who are prepared to settle and move on in spite of the fact that you are getting only a fraction of your lands back. I think that as a country we need to recognise and celebrate that generosity because it is only through your acts as Ngati Makino that we can move on as a nation. We can look forward to a place in our history where the relationship between Maori and the Crown is not about grievance it is not about what has happened historically; it is actually about focusing on the future and the positive contribution that Ngati Makino and other whanau hapu and iwi in Aotearoa can make to building the country that we want. 
I also want to highlight that this is actually about the status of hapu and iwi—that hapu and iwi are the first sovereigns of Aotearoa. You have a very special place in New Zealand’s history but you have a very special place in terms of opportunities to be part of decision making. So processes like resource management processes led either by the Environment Court or by our councils should have hapu and iwi sitting round that decision-making table because of the significance of our whenua our awa—the moana. It is through those types of relationships in the future that we will be interested in making sure that our iwi like Ngati Makino continue to have a role. 
I want to thank the Hon Tau Henare and also my fellow members of the Maori Affairs Committee. It is the one area where we have consensus. It is the one area where I think we are always willing to go out to our whanau to listen to the stories. Some of the stories make you weep but they are what is Aotearoa. The histories of Ngati Makino and other hapu and iwi need to be taught. Some of the discussions we have been having are how we can translate some of these Waitangi Tribunal reports these bills the deeds of settlement into tangible knowledge that our kids should learn about. When I say “our kids” I am talking about all of our children through the curriculum of some of our high schools for example. How can we embed this history this New Zealand history into the framework of our education system? Some of those challenges in the future I am looking forward to the Maori Affairs Committee being a champion of. 
I just want to again acknowledge the whanau who are here today. I am celebrating with you. We celebrate the fact that we have come to a point in your history where we can say sorry. We can give you back some of what was yours but we can also say that we will be here in the future to make sure that what is contained in the settlement process actually enables you to have that Ngati Makinotanga. Kia ora. 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Speaker. E te Upoko o to tatou Piringa me nga mema e huihui mai tena koutou katoa. Huri atu ki te whakanui i te Wiki o Te Reo Maori tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
Thank you Mr Speaker. Greetings to you the head of House and to the members assembled here greetings to you all. I turn to acknowledge Maori Language Week greetings to you all. 
] 
Tena koutou katoa Ngati Makino who are present in the gallery today. Kia ora. I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Greens and our support for the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill. I want to acknowledge my colleague Denise Roche who made our second reading speech on this bill. It was a very articulate description that she set out in that speech of the history of the confiscation of the wars and of the loss to Ngati Makino over many years. She outlined a great deal of the history: the land confiscation from 1866 and the loss of 80000-odd hectares of land by the 1990s. At a very early stage most of the land was taken. Some 100 years later very very little of that land was left. 
I will take only a short call today because I know that there is a great deal of celebration still to go for this legislation. I want to echo the words of both Denise Roche in her second reading speech and Louisa Wall today in her korero just earlier about the generosity of iwi and hapu who accept these settlements and the generosity today of Ngati Makino in their acceptance of this settlement. It is 20 years in the making. That is a lifetime for many and there were many lives lost during that process. 
The Greens have always opposed the Treaty settlement process. We have always been prepared to stand up in this House and talk about the failures of the process the weaknesses of the process and what that means for iwi and hapu who are trying their best to engage with it. We have a huge amount of respect for those who are prepared to engage with it because it is so difficult. It is unfair and it is ill-conceived in our view. The Crown sets the terms the Crown makes the rules and the Crown creates the delays that lead to many many years between a claim being made and a settlement being finalised. In our view a durable and just settlement between two sovereign parties requires an equitable engagement between those parties. That does not happen in this Treaty settlement process. An equitable engagement between sovereign parties means that the parties agree together on the process that they undertake and that the parties agree to negotiate terms with an open mind. We know from settlement after settlement after settlement that that is not the case in Treaty settlements. The Crown comes to the table with a deal and it is very rare for the terms of that deal to be significantly changed in the negotiations. It is not treated with an open mind with a view to the needs of the other sovereign party in this engagement. 
We also know that the resolution of settlements and Treaty settlements often lead to further injustices and that should not be part of the process either. That is a weakness of the Treaty settlement process. We do not apologise for making that explicit in this House when we discuss settlements. Someone needs to be clear and straight about that. If we are to improve the process and to make sure we move towards durable settlements and just settlements where there is equitable engagement we must be prepared to debate the weaknesses and the failings. But that also does mean as has been said by Louisa and Denise—and no doubt others—that we recognise the generosity of iwi who are prepared to engage at all and the hard hard work and the money and the time that it takes for them to do that. They are prepared to put themselves on the line in order to get some progress not only for themselves and for their whanau their kids and their mokos but also actually for the rest of the country as well. 
I think one of the big changes that could be made to the settlement process that is a responsibility of the Crown—not of the iwi involved—is that their stories are made much more explicit as has been discussed to the rest of the New Zealand population. They just do not know about the history. It is a block to genuine progress for iwi and Crown relationships and for our community relationships that New Zealanders do not know the full history: the pain the hurt the damage the loss and the deaths that arose out of the colonisation process which has now led to the need for the Treaty settlement process. 
I am I have to say disappointed with the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations’ rather personal attacks today. I think that those attacks belittle him given that I understand he is committed to this process. But those attacks do belittle him and I am disappointed by that. I agree with the Minister that the Crown must now build a relationship with Ngati Makino based on trust and commitment. I agree with him that it will be the actions of the Crown or the actions of the Government more explicitly that will count in the building of that relationship with Ngati Makino. But thus far we hear pretty words and we do not see the actions that would give those words genuine dignity or that relationship genuine dignity. We look forward to seeing how those words will be put into action. 
I want finally to pay my respects to all of those of Ngati Makino who have been involved in any way in the settlement process who have passed on and our deep sorrow that the delays have meant that that has happened and those who worked for the settlement in the past have not been able to see it come to fruition today. I want to congratulate all of those who have worked and continue to work not only on the settlement but also on the best means to use the resources that have been returned however meagre for the benefit of their whanau hapu and iwi. It is no small feat to try to use these small resources to resolve more than 100 years of pain loss and degradation. Even that alone—that that attempt is being made and that the skills are there to do that work—is just extraordinary. The Maori community is extraordinary. Ngati Makino is extraordinary. I want to pay them homage for all the work that they have done. Kia ora koutou. 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 Te mea tuatahi ki a koutou e aku rangatira e aku tuakana e aku teina ranei tena koutou a tena koutou. Tena koutou katoa i haere mai nei i tenei ra whakahirahira ra nunui mo tenei pire no reira ano te hari ano te aroha ki a koutou katoa. Tena koutou a tena koutou kia ora mai tatou katoa. 
[ 
Firstly I acknowledge you my leaders elder or junior siblings: greetings and salutations to you. I acknowledge you all who came here on this wonderful and truly great day for this bill. So joy and regards once again to you all. Acknowledgments and congratulations to you collectively and to us all 
.] 
You know when you go to a party eh? When you go to a party everybody is happy. It might be the celebration of Parekura’s 70th; it may be to congratulate the whanau on the birth of a new child. But there is always one person you know? There is always one person who wants to throw a spanner in the works who wants to say not nasty things but things that are not particularly right for the occasion. And I must admit I am sometimes like that myself. 
Hon Members 
: No! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Only sometimes—only sometimes. But this is a wonderful day. If we have a look at the whole day it is not only about our work as parliamentarians progressing things to their final stage. Also if you look at the big picture we have moved from around the Taihape area over to the Eastern Bay of Plenty and maybe later on this afternoon we will get down to the East Coast. 
Hon Parekura Horomia 
: Hooray! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: What was that? My words to the hau kainga the home people are this: beware of companies bearing gifts and great ideas to grow your putea. Please beware because as we all know if you fall over everybody else in the nation says “See told you they couldn’t look after it.” So it is a big pressure on the home folk. I have no doubt whatsoever that the home folk can look after the bank account and look after the growing of Ngati Makino as only Ngati Makino can. Ngapuhi cannot tell you what to do—they would never try that anyway! Parliament cannot tell you what to do. It is in your hands and as my colleague and whanaunga Shane Jones said last week in the debate around Treaty settlements it is now upon you— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Order! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Yeah yeah I know. I seek leave to use the word “you” in my speech. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Well the member is perfectly entitled to do that. What I would say is that the word “you” is generally at the Speaker’s discretion and sometimes as a Speaker when we think it is pointing incorrectly to the Speaker we will raise the issue with the member and call “Order!”. But the member is perfectly entitled to seek leave of the House. Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none. 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Thank you Mr Speaker. Righto you guys. I will not abuse my leave and will use the word “you” only when I refer to you. 
It is a heavy load looking at the history of each Treaty settlement and this is nothing out of the extraordinary because it has happened to us all. We fight for 150-odd years to have some closure and then when we get closure we have this huge other burden and that is the pressure on you of our peers of our whanau members of other iwi and of the nation as well. So I wish you well and please do not hesitate to seek out those whom you trust. Seek out those who have skills from within. There are lots of young people out there today who are doing marvellously well—marvellously well—and we should be proud of the fact that there are young people in universities are young people out there working in businesses and are young people out there who have the nous and the skills to assist the home people. I say “the home people” with all humility because that is where Ngati Makino is. It is at home that they are Ngati Makino. Although there are other people out there who are Ngati Makino of Ngati Makino descent it is the home people who keep the fires burning. It is the home people whom we go to when we are on our travels. At this very point in time—right now—my mother-in-law’s sister is travelling on her last journey most probably through the Eastern Bay of Plenty. So it is for the home people the hau kainga to look after all of that whakapapa all of what we expect when we look inside ourselves and discover that we are Maori that we have whakapapa here there and everywhere. 
Last week I spoke on the particular story of New Zealand. Like I said on the Maraeroa A and B Blocks legislation for iwi today is ending one chapter and tomorrow they will turn a page and it is a new chapter. It will be full of great expectations the new chapter and I want to give my salute to Ngati Makino and say that it will be OK. It will be great fun. The next part of the journey is going to be even more exciting than the last part of the journey. 
I want to refer now to what my good friend and colleague the Hon Parekura Horomia said about the Maori Affairs Committee—and also my colleague Louise Upston mentioned it as well—because I think it is very important to understand how we work in the Maori Affairs Committee. Yes we have our arguments just like at home. My arguments are mainly with my own colleagues. This is a select committee that prides itself on being able to see things from both sides and prides itself on trying to work together because at the end of the day most of our work is not concerned with the legalese dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s; it is concerned about the betterment of Maori and when you have that as a kaupapa you tend to work closer and work in a more collaborative way. 
Yes I have started smoking again. Mr Horomia outed me this morning. But here is something to ponder. Here is something to ponder while we are all so aghast at somebody smoking these days. Here is something to ponder: 150 or 180 years ago Pakehas from the other side of the world brought us tobacco and said “Here have a smoke.” and 180 years later they now tell us “You should give up.” I know I am making a joke. I know I am taking the proverbial out of it but I have just got to say—and I use this as an opportunity—that there is a line in the sand. We all know that it is harmful. We all know that—now we do and thanks to those people who have put that korero out there—but there is a line in the sand and when you step over it you start to be a nagger you start to be a zealot and you start to be a fascist. Quite frankly I have had enough of those people. I will not take it any more. When I go outside for a smoke I am proud of who I am. You know the system society might say “Oh look at that man.” I look in the mirror and say “Jeez what a handsome man.” I also look at myself and think that Maori are not just as one of my colleagues said some sort of race of people; we actually are this land—we are this land. You cannot find us anywhere else in the world except maybe Perth. No reira koutou ma taku hoa tena koutou tena koutou kia ora mai tatou katoa. 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 I am seriously concerned that nicotine really is a hallucinogenic! I find myself agreeing with many of the sensible comments that the Hon Tau Henare made but I would add that he was actually very kind in the beginning because I am quite frankly fed up with parliamentarians who come in here and sow poison. They lace it with particles of reason but they sow the seeds of discontent and they have not been on the journey that Ngati Makino has been on. 
Blind Freddie knows that nothing can truly restore what has been taken; nothing can restore that. We all know that—all of us here in New Zealand. Let nobody watching this debate leave here today thinking that the negotiators have not done the utmost the very best that they can do and got the best they can for Ngati Makino—or any tribe in New Zealand for that matter. I look forward to when the Hon Chris Finlayson comes back into the House and I look forward to what he has to say about the Greens’ continued speeches. 
I rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill. Only two of the original claimants are still with us: Te Ariki Morehu and Te Hirata Sykes. It was my great privilege to meet with Te Hirata this morning at Tauranga Airport and I would like to welcome her here in the gallery. Could we have a round of applause for Te Hirata? [ 
Applause 
] Te Ariki and Te Hirata have been the backbone of this claim. This settlement and most important the apology create a new dawn for the people of Ngati Makino. 
Their claim as Minister Finlayson said is distinctly unique with a very special history but it is also similar to many claims in New Zealand in the atrocities that have happened to Maori all over the land. Yes land was confiscated by the Crown but then the Crown came again in the form of Maori land agents who amalgamated Maori farmers’ lands. Imagine that: one day there you are king of your castle at home and another Maori comes along and says: “Guess what! You don’t own this any more. You are a part-owner of a bigger block of land.” But they could not leverage off it financially and in the end they had hundreds of owners of a block of land. That was the start of many Maori families disintegrating and of Maori having to watch European farmers being able to rent Maori land at peppercorn rates and build empires while Maori slowly but surely were increasingly forced off their land losing contact mana wairua and identity. This apology by the Crown restores that mana to the people of Ngati Makino and I would just like to mention and thank all of those people who have worked so hard in this process. Kia ora. 
I would also like to mention Otamarakau School which has to be one of the most beautiful primary schools in the world. The parents teachers and locals all guard it zealously. They were most concerned when they thought that Ngati Makino was going to take that school and it is my pleasure to put their minds at ease. Ngati Makino have given their reassurance that it will be business as usual at Otamarakau School and they do the business of learning and caring for our most precious taonga our children very very well. To those people who are watching on Parliament TV and those people who are live streaming from the other side of the world you will never find a better fishing competition than the Otamarakau School fishing competition at Matata. I will be there next year and I look forward to seeing many of those of you here in the gallery today; I will see you there as well. 
I just want to also reiterate the comments of the Hon Parekura Horomia and Tau Henare that this is—pardon me Mr Speaker—your settlement. This is yours to do with as you wish to be your future so that you can self-determine where Ngati Makino goes from here. Good luck safe journey kia ora. 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
Tena koe. Tena koe e te Whare. Rau rangatira matenei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ra. Tena koutou nga iwi rangatira o NgatiMakino. Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. Tenei Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori arohatia Te Reo. 
[ 
Thank you and greetings to you the House. I acknowledge you the many leaders in respect of the matter of the day. Salutations to the chiefly tribes of NgatiMakino. Greetings and acknowledgments to you all. This is Maori Language Week. Cherish the Language 
.] 
I am very proud to speak in this third reading of the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill particularly as it is Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori. I want to echo the words of my parliamentary colleagues who have spoken in the House today about the relationship between iwi and the Crown and how it has strengthened with these final settlements and the fact that we move to a better place each time we conclude a third reading in this House. It is a significant moment and it is fantastic to see so many represented here today from Ngati Makino to celebrate it with us. I am sure that when you return home you will share the memories of this day with your whanau and I encourage you to do that to make sure that the story of today is etched in your history of the days that got us to this point. 
One of the things that we speak about when we talk about Treaty settlements is the economic benefits that are unlocked as a result. But the benefits are far more than unlocking economic potential. One of the things that I have been privileged to experience as part of the Maori Affairs Committee is to look at a number of the issues that the select committee is dealing with. Too often we are talking about people but on the negative side. Yesterday in our meetings there was significant conversation about deficit. Well I think the settlements unlock economic potential but more important it unlocks the potential of our people. I deliberately say “our”—yours ours the people of Aotearoa. I want to speak a little bit more about that further in this speech. 
We talk a lot about land but I think more important it is also the cultural and spiritual and historical significance of these settlements. I talked in my last speech on the Maraeroa settlement legislation about some of the economic benefits and the tourism opportunities in the area. But I want to move on to a couple of the areas that I see the settlements such as the Ngati Makino settlement provide. If I reflect it was the deed of settlement that was signed in April last year that set out the commercial redress and unfortunately sometimes what we focus on is the commercial redress—$11.9 million—and the return of culturally significant sites. 
I think one of the things that we do not talk about enough though and I wanted to talk about it today is Te Reo because I think that the cultural benefits of the settlements not only benefit Ngati Makino but also benefit us as a country. I want to take an opportunity to acknowledge Te Ururoa Flavell. He is the champion of Te Reo in this House in this Whare. Just this week he has reminded us that our pronunciation could and should be better. But I want to applaud the fact that there are many members of this House who have spoken for the first time in Te Reo this week. They have not done it quietly; they have done it publicly. I commended my colleagues on Facebook. I was rather disturbed to get some criticism that asked why it is only during this week—Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori—that we do that. I said: “Well actually I don’t think there’s any other better opportunity to stand in the House to be courageous in saying words that you may never have uttered before to run the risk of being criticised for getting it wrong but trying it anyway.” 
My personal belief is the more that we use the language—your language and ours—then the more comfortable we are with it and the more it will become woven into our language in Aotearoa. I think that is the thing that is so vital in terms of these settlements. It is not just about land and it is not about a cheque; it is about the fact that our cultures are woven more deeply than they ever have been before. 
That is why I am immensely proud to be part of this Government and the fact that we are progressing so many settlements. We operate with the cooperation of the House so I pay tribute to my parliamentary colleagues for allowing us—us collectively—to do that. All of us benefit and we benefit in our language we benefit in the wider culture and we benefit in what we are able to share. 
 So I do not want to talk about deficits today. I want to talk about profits I want to talk about wealth and I want to talk about richness—the richness that the partnership between iwi and the Crown provides for all of us. So when you leave here—when all of us leave here—I urge each and every one of you to share the story of today to share the story of what is possible each and every time an apology is made and accepted and that instead of having media headlines about where we disagree let us make media headlines about where we agree so that we can weave our futures more closely together you can share that with your children I can share it with mine and together Aotearoa will be stronger. No reira. 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato) 
: 
Tena koe tena koutou. Tenei e tapiri atu aku mihi ki a koutou NgatiMakino Te Arawa waka i tau mai nei ki roto i tenei Whare to koutou Whare ki te whakarongo kienei o ngakorero. Ki a tatou katoa ka nui te mihi. Tenei e tikaana me mihi atu ki ngatini mate i kawea mai nei e koutou i runga i ou koutou pokohiwi tae atu ki ngawhakaahua e iri nei i ngatara o tenei Whare moteneiwapoto. Naratou i kaweangatoimahatanga e paana ki nga tino hiahia kei waenganui i a koutou no reira ka mihi atu ra ki a ratou heke iho mai ki a tatou katoa. Ko a matou nei wahanga he paku whakaaro e paana ki te nuinga o a koutou nei mahi no reira i raro i tera ka tu ki te korero ki tenei kaupapa. 
[ 
Thank you and greetings to you collectively. I add my salutations to you Ngati Makino Te Arawa canoe who have arrived here in this House—indeed your House—to listen to these addresses. To you all I acknowledge you greatly. It is only right that I pay a tribute to the multitude who have passed away whom you bring here upon your shoulders including the photographs of those who have died too which hang on the walls of this House for this brief moment. They bore the full might of the burdens in terms of what you really wanted amongst you so I pay a tribute to them right down to us all. Our part is to give some consideration small as it might seem to much of what you have done and on that basis I rise to address this matter 
.] 
It gives me great pleasure to be able to make a small contribution to this particular settlement. As I am not on the Maori Affairs Committee I did draw on the debate in the House this morning. I want to perhaps highlight a couple of things that are synonymous with most Treaty settlements. Yes it is correct that legislation can take away land. Yes it is correct that battles can take away the lives of people but no it is not correct that mana can be restored by legislation. I think that is a really important point because for Ngati Makino I am absolutely assured that despite the adversity of history despite what may have happened to their people in times gone past to this present day their mana remains intact. It is confirmed and only strengthened by the trail in which their tupuna fought to seek resolution of their claims that we humbly stand here to try to rectify some small part of that. 
So that is one aspect. The other aspect that I want to draw on is comments made by the Minister. He made a very wise comment in saying that really once Treaty settlements are achieved the most important part is the implementation component. In speaking to members through this House of Parliament I too agree that it is not so much the fiscal quantum of any of the settlements that come before the House because from a fiscal point of view it will never ever be enough to reconcile historical injustices. But if you look at the entirety of what people have tried to seek through the settlement package then we see some glimmers of opportunity not only in reconciliation but also in restoration for future opportunities. 
So with that in mind Minister I particularly point to the notes that you drew our attention to which is the components of the cultural redress. There was limited debate in the second reading of this legislation in the House because most members agreed that the bill was fine in its entirety. But I really want to for the purposes of the  
Hansard 
 and maybe if people are looking back to our debates as parliamentarians give light to some of the aspects of the legislation. I want to point to Part 2 and the cultural redress. 
First of all there are the amendments regarding protocols. It is of interest to me that Ngati Makino were quite specific about having some defined protocols in relation to taonga tuturu and in relation to the Crown minerals process. What drew my attention to this was a number of things—firstly clause 18. I wanted to make the comment that although it is unclear in the way that the legislation is written now a protocol can be cancelled at the discretion of the Minister. What might the specific aspects of those considerations be? If it is the intention of Ngati Makino to ensure that these protocols will lock in their opportunity to have a say on what happens in say the designation of spatial exploration of minerals then it must be one of the measures by which a future Government would be held to account to ensure the implementation intent can be achieved. 
I would think that if a future Minister overseeing their responsibilities as they apply to Ngati Makino thinks that they can just cancel the protocol even after having consultation but without giving regard to the intent and spirit of the deed of settlement for Ngati Makino then they have surely failed the test of the expectation of this legislation. 
The other point that I want to raise is that although I am sure that the Crown minerals protocol contained in this legislation does not go nearly far enough it is definitely a flag in the ground because in the future if technological advances and mining extraction methods improve and are non-invasive and less intrusive on the environment then one might expect that Ngati Makino is putting a stake in the ground to say “Well hang on for anything that happens in our area not only do we want to be consulted but also we potentially may have an interest that is currently not expressed.” This particular bill is silent on all those fronts maybe for good reason but I want to put on the record that those are some of the future opportunities of successful implementation of Ngati Makino that can be achieved; these will be I think some of the future tests that a future Government will be held to account on. 
The other point—and I said I was not going to take a long call—was on the issue of the letters of introduction in two spaces; firstly with the local authorities and secondly with the Minister of Housing. There are two important points I want to make here. It is one thing opening the door; it is another thing being able to get people in the door sitting down and discussing the real issues of the day. It would be a very real concern to me if for example Government policy seeks to move the four well-beings within local government legislation and thereby does not allow Ngati Makino to express their aspirations for their areas their rohe in a holistic way. The four well-beings within local government legislation provide for that. 
On the issue of housing again it is one thing opening a door; it is another thing ushering them in to be able to sit at the table and talk about the real issues. The provision of social housing becomes a very real issue when we are talking about housing for Maori whanau in whichever rohe; but more important how do we unlock the opportunities the economic opportunities to partner with iwi to provide either social housing of their own or their own housing development opportunities? 
I did not want to take too long. The ground has been well traversed for Ngati Makino. Another lesson that I learnt before coming to Parliament from one of my kaumatua was “Eh dear when you stand up to talk on those issues about Maori kaupapa make sure you can whakapapa to it. If you can’t don’t talk for too long.” 
Kia ora koutou katoa. 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Speaker. I would like to acknowledge firstly the presence of the Ngati Makino people who are in the House today. In particular I would like to acknowledge the presence of the very youthful face who is sitting in the front up there in the gallery. She does not know it now. She does not know how important this is but she is here to tell the history of today. In 80 years’ time she will be the only one who will be able to go on to the marae and tell the story of when this Treaty settlement was signed. She does not realise it but she will be the one passing on these stories from generation to generation keeping these stories alive for my children and for my children’s children. 
I would also like to acknowledge those who came on this journey—some might say it has been a fight but we call it a journey—who are no longer with us to witness today who have worked very hard behind the scenes for years and generations for today to actually happen. 
 I do not like bringing politics into these debates because actually I think these debates are about the Treaty and the settlements but I cannot let the Green member’s comments lie. I truly believe in the process that we have got now. I truly believe that the work done by Ministers Finlayson and Turia has been good work. You have waited 20 years to get to this moment today and I do not believe what the Green member was saying was true. I would hate to think that she could hold up Treaty settlements going forward because we have got a robust process that is working swiftly. 
I would like to acknowledge the Ministers and the work they have done which has allowed us to come here today and settle through this bill. I would also like to thank the trust for all the work it has done the true leadership it has shown and the journey it has taken its people on as well. That takes time commitment and belief that you can make a true difference. Thank you for your work. 
Most of all I would like to thank the Ngati Makino people for their graciousness in allowing the Crown to apologise and to remedy some of the wrongs that have been done in the past—and there have been true wrongs in this case. We have heard stories in this House about some of those wrongs of how rights and properties were removed of how land was confiscated and of how you were virtually landless at one stage when only 0.6 percent of the blocks remained in iwi ownership. That is wrong. But it does show you one thing: it does show you the resilience of the Ngati Makino people a resilience that was built up over generations. I acknowledge that today. 
Treaty settlement bills are actually about the future. They are about what we can do moving forward. I would just like to acknowledge some of the parts of the settlement. The trustees of land are to be provided with certain rights and consultations with the New Zealand Conservation Authority. You are getting other rights in relation to Lake Rotoma Scenic Reserve. The bill makes statutory acknowledgments and provisions for the vesting in fee simple in Ngati Makino of cultural redress properties. 
This one is the one I like the most and it is the most fitting component of the settlement process: it is the transfer of Otamarakau School to trustees. What I like most about this transfer is the motto of the school which is “A view to the future”. I cannot think of anything that talks about this settlement and the process any more than having a view to the future. I know this will truly make a difference to the future of your people. It will give you tools to restore mana and identity. It will give you something for your culture to talk about and to be able to have ownership of. 
Treaty settlements are about the future generations. Louisa talked about relationships not being about grievances— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Order! You must use the member’s full name. 
KATRINA SHANKS 
: Sorry Mr Speaker. They must not be about grievances with the Crown but about how the Crown and iwi can help each other to progress New Zealand our country. I think this is a great beginning. 
I do believe that history has been made today. It is my pleasure to be here. In fact I talked to my children this morning and said I was coming to talk about Treaty settlements. They looked at me not really understanding what I was talking about so I talked about some of the history and some of the stories that we tell and we hear going through this process especially when we go out as a select committee on to the maraes and listen to the stories and hear the discussions. They still looked at me slightly blankly but I have started that story with my children and they will start that story with theirs. So it is my pleasure and an honour to be here to speak on the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill today. Thank you. 
RINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
Tena koe. Ka nui te ora tena koe e te Kaiwhakamana. Ki a koutou e te manuhiri tuarangi NgatiMakino tena koutou nau mai hara mai whakatau mai ki te Paremata e takatu nei tena koutou tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
Thank you. I am very well and thank you Mr Speaker. Salutations to you the visitors from afar NgatiMakino welcome and draw closer to Parliament standing here ready; acknowledgments to you all greetings 
.] 
It is with honour that I rise as an elected member to a Maori seat Te Tai Tonga to carry on the mahi of the hundreds of Maori who have since the 1860s been coming here to Poneke to carry on the take of their whanau and hapu to Parliament. So it is an absolute pleasure to be here today. I am delighted to be able to share in this occasion with Ngati Makino. 
But there have been some low points. I am reminded of Wi Parata a former member of this House whose case against the Bishop of Wellington was thrown out by Judge Prendergast who claimed that the Treaty of Waitangi was a nullity. Thank goodness those remarks are consigned to nothing more than the Law 101 lectures. 
Today for Ngati Makino the Treaty of Waitangi displays its power. The mana that was intended by Hobson and the chiefs of Niu Tireni all those years ago in 1840 will today acknowledge the past wrongs of the Crown over Ngati Makino. 
As a new member of this House I have left it to my senior colleagues to tell this Whare of the mana of these people the Ngati Makino but may I rise to make just a point or two. It always amazes and saddens me when I hear stories of hapu and iwi who decided for their own valid reasons to side with the Crown and yet still had land confiscated by that taniwha known as raupatu Pakeha. The Ngati Makino tried as best they could to stay out of the fracas between the Crown and Waikato but when the conflict came to the Bay of Plenty this proud iwi had to make a decision that many hapu and iwi up and down the motu at that time had to make—whom to side with. Inevitably Ngati Makino was split and with that split the Crown managed not only to undermine the authority of Ngati Makino but also to use that split as a show of disloyalty and like a dog chewing a bone they therefore punished Ngati Makino with raupatu by pen and paper. Talk about a loyal employer!  
Another point is survey costs. Like I mentioned in debate on the Maraeroa A and B Blocks bills the hoary old subject of colonial survey fees has raised its head amongst yet another iwi and hapu of Aotearoa with Ngati Makino. That same modus operandi was employed by the Crown throughout the country and it is a sad indictment of the State the Crown and Pakeha thinking of the day. That thinking was: “Get Maori into debt with the Crown and when they cannot pay off that debt with money they can pay it back with land and then they can sell it to the only entity that is able buy the land.” You guessed it: it was the Government of New Zealand. That was the same story that we had with Maraeroa A and B Blocks earlier this morning—the same method of operation employed by the Crown. 
Was it enough to come up with legislation that made the Crown the only entity able to purchase the land? No no it went further than that. It came up with a judicial system that would allow the alienation of Maori land but to sell there must be a title and to have a title there must be a survey and to get the survey and title someone had to get paid. It was a sweet operation: get Maori to alienate their land and to pay for that privilege. Once the lands of Ngati Makino swept from the lakeshores of Rotoiti Rotoehu and Rotoma down to the coast at Maketu and Pukehina and Otamarakau and Hauone and Pikowai to just a little east of the Tarawera River. By 1890 Ngati Makino were virtually landless. Nearly 448000 acres were alienated the majority due to Crown purchasing techniques. Even land at Otamarakau and Whakarewa—reserves deemed inalienable—were sold. And if that was not enough the iwi suffered further land loss with the use of that terrible taniwha known as the Public Works Act. Of those 448000 acres approximately 0.6 percent as we have been told remain in tribal hands. 
In contrast to that chequered and dark past we now come to today and we have come a long way. The people of this small but proud iwi will be able in some measure to leave behind those grievances and start out with a new and fresh mandate. 
May I just finish and acknowledge my colleagues on the Maori Affairs Committee under the capable chairmanship of my whanaunga Tau—the Hon Tau Henare—and also the fellow members of the committee. It has been a real honour and privilege to be able to guide this pire—these settlements—through the House and to be speaking at this its final reading. I would like to also acknowledge the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and his officials and most important the people of Ngati Makino who have worked hard to bring this bill the Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill to fruition. I mihi to you all and I just wish you all the very best for the future. I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora tatou. 
Bill read a third time. 
Karanga 
Waiata 
Haka 
The House adjourned at 12.03 p.m. (Thursday)