Horomia Parekura: Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
Horomia Parekura: Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
[Volume:650;Page:18922] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker. I stand in support of the Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill. The bill gives effect to the settlement reached between the affiliate Te Arawa iwi and hapu represented by Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and the Crown. 
I would certainly like to acknowledge at the outset the far-sighted decision of Rawiri Te Whare and other Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa negotiators to bring the affiliate Te Arawa settlement into the central North Island collective settlement. Alongside them was the Crown side ably led by Dr Cullen and supported by the Associate Minister Mita Ririnui. The decision was subsequently ratified by Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa beneficiaries and it has paved the way for the finalisation of the affiliate Te Arawa settlement. The decision to come into the central North Island collective will allow Te Arawa and other central North Island iwi to determine amongst themselves the allocation of commercial and mana whenua interests within Crown-licensed forests. This bill shows the advantages of allowing Maori to resolve their own issues amongst themselves and of not trying to impose solutions from the outside. The fact that iwi leaders have been allowed to take control of the process is the reason we have made so much progress towards settling the claims of Te Arawa and the other central North Island iwi. 
I note that several submitters to the Maori Affairs Committee have raised the issues of the coupling of Ngati Whaoa - Ngati Tahu and of Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao together as affiliates of Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa. It is important that iwi and hapu be allowed to define themselves for the purposes of Treaty settlements. Following exhaustive mandate processes—and they were exhaustive—the Crown was convinced that Ngati Whaoa - Ngati Tahu and Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao wanted to be coupled together as affiliates and be party to the affiliate Te Arawa settlement. The couplings reflect the historic geographic and whakapapa ties of the groups. Nobody should undo those accountable and representative entities. This measure will ensure that the whole Te Arawa waka benefits from the settlement. 
The Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill also provides for significant cultural redress. Twenty-four culturally significant sites including ones at Whakarewarewa Te Ariki Lake Rotokawa and Lake Rotomahana will transfer under this bill. Some of these proposed cultural redress transfers have generated debate within other iwi but again iwi leaders have taken the lead in finding ways to resolve these differences and by and large they have been resolved. 
I again acknowledge the Te Arawa leadership. It was bold enough and generous enough to step back twice so that other people could come to the fore. That is something rarely seen in this country but it most certainly is recognised. To Rawiri Te Whare and the other leadership group I say it was indeed an honour a privilege and a pleasure to work with them. 
I commend the Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill to the House for its second reading.