Finlayson ChristopherNGĀRUAHINE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT BILLThird ReadingHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): I move That the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time. Taranaki Maunga te taumata tirohanga kanohi o ngā waka Aotea Tokomaru Kurahaupō. Taranaki Whenua Te Ūkaipō o Te Iwi. Taranaki Tangata ngā kaihāpai o ngā tohutohu o te hunga kua mene atu ki Te Pō arā te korero: Mai i Te Rangi ki Te Nuku-o-Te Whenua ka puta ake Te Ira Tangata i Te Pō ki Te Whaiao ki Te Ao mārama" nau mai haere mai.[Taranaki mountain the summit face viewed by the canoes Aotea Tokomaru and Kurahaupō Taranaki land the sustenance source Taranaki person supporters of the teachings that belonged to those who have assembled at the void there indeed is the aphorism: "From the sky to the earth the human element emerged from the void into the world of light and enlightenment." Welcome come hither.]I am so pleased to be here as the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations to move the third reading of this bill. It is a day of huge significance and I am so pleased that we are finally here for the third reading given recent events. In the interests of harmony in the House I will say no more than that. Over the next few hours we will see Ngāruahine join their whanaunga Te Atiawa and Taranaki iwi in celebrating the third readings of their settlement bills bills that seek to address some of the gravest moments in our country's history and that will hopefully path a way for a positive future for the iwi of Taranaki. To the many people of Ngāruahine here in the gallery I and other members of Parliament have eagerly awaited this important moment and we feel privileged to be here. You and your tīpuna have fought for over 170 years to reach this point. So once again I extend my warmest greetings to you all.In a third reading it is appropriate to acknowledge those board members and others who have played such an important role in reaching this stage. Some of them are sitting in the gallery today—these include: John Hooker Peter Moeahu Allie Hemara-Wahanui Bonita Bigham Christine Hēnare Te Rau Oriwa Davis Puhi Nuku Acushla Deanne O'Carroll-Sciascia Omahuru Robinson Ngaraina Brooks Patricia Coles Te Oti Kātene Karl Adamson Pat Gallagher and Marty Davis.Can I also acknowledge Matekitewhite Kaa Hine Toki Hine Waitoa Josie Bigam Ronald Hudson and others who were instrumental in ensuring the very best outcome for Ngāruahine. And it is so appropriate to read all those names into the permanent record of this House. Finally I want to recognise the outstanding contribution of Daisy Noble the contribution that she has made to this settlement along with the other Ngāruahine negotiators. Her tenacity and drive during negotiations was invaluable. Her commitment was totally unwavering right up until today. Late one night when we were dealing with the Committee stage of the bill I looked up into the gallery and there she was.It is also fitting to pay tribute to those who have passed on but who were so influential in Ngāruahine reaching this final milestone. I speak of Pue Whakaruru and John Nyman. Others include Tohe Ngātai Lawa Nuku Margaret Kahupūroko Olley Eric Taha John Kato Luke Steven Toki Jean Teira Nuku and Cyril Tamou. And there are so many others who have worked long and hard on this negotiation but who cannot be here today.The contribution of all those I have mentioned in seeing Ngāruahine's grievances addressed is testament to their dedication in ensuring that their people will flourish. And it is so very important to record in Hansard those names for ever more.Finally although his name has been in Hansard on many occasions over the years can I mention my chief Crown negotiator Rick Barker and thank him for his great work on the settlement. And can I also acknowledge all the officials from various Government agencies for helping me over the years so that we could reach this day. I greatly appreciate the hard work of representatives of the Department of Conservation the Ministry of Social Development the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and so many others.At the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill's first reading I recounted the bleak history of what the Crown did to the people of Ngāruahine. I took those present through some of the major elements of the settlement finally agreed between the Crown and Ngāruahine in August 2014. I do not want to detract from its significance because today is a day of looking forward and I suspect that others are going to speak in some detail about these important matters in any case. But it is important briefly to touch on the history and this I now do.Before 1860 Ngāruahine were thriving they were economically successful and they retained ownership of their lands and resources. By 1865 every acre of the Ngāruahine rohe had been indiscriminately and unjustly confiscated by the Crown. By 1879 many Ngāruahine had relocated to Parihaka and supported its leaders Te Whiti and Tohu and their movement for peace and independence. Some were among those who were arrested and exiled to South Island prisons where they were detained in harsh conditions for at least 17 months without trial. In November 1881 Crown troops invaded and dismantled Parihaka again displacing Ngāruahine from their settlement.During the 20th century the Crown's efforts to address the grievances of Ngāruahine failed time and time again. Compensation may have been paid but it was not discussed with Ngāruahine beforehand. Inquiries may have been undertaken but they were limited in their scope.We must therefore focus on where we are today and where this great iwi is going in the future. The settlement will provide a base for the iwi to grow and develop. It includes $67.5 million of financial and commercial redress a right of deferred selection over 10 sites and vesting of four culturally significant sites. There is also provision for overlay classifications statutory acknowledgments and deeds of recognition.One of the more novel aspects of the package is the right of Ngāruahine together with the seven other iwi of Taranaki to nominate members for appointment to two of the Taranaki Regional Council standing committees and we heard about that in some colour in recent weeks. Although initially contested by New Zealand First in Parliament in September the Committee of the whole House voted in favour of retaining this provision intact. During the debate mention was made of the huge benefit of having the iwi of Taranaki at the council decision-making table. Members also spoke more broadly of the importance of having a Māori perspective in all elements of decision making and I look forward to seeing this arrangement in action. And frankly who can contest such an arrangement when exactly the same provision is extended to Federated Farmers? I firmly believe the region will benefit from this arrangement and any suggestion that we are on the road to apartheid is garbage.In closing I acknowledge the generosity of the Ngāruahine people. Their tīpuna were subjected to so much unfairness and yet they sit amongst us today to join in this very important occasion. That is testament to the mana of these people and I thank them for that.So this is the final stage of the legislative process. At this moment I again remember what happened in the past and recognise all those who are no longer with us but worked so hard for Ngāruahine and I also pause to stop to reflect on the importance of today and what it will mean for the people of Ngāruahine going forward. It is a wonderful day I look forward to celebrating it with my friends in the gallery later in the day and I commend the bill to the House."