Shanks Katrina: Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill — Third Reading 
Shanks Katrina: Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:678;Page:1489] 
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
: 
 E te Kaikorero o te Whare tena koe. Tuarua ki nga mema tena koutou. Nga iwi o Maniapoto tena koutou. 
[ 
Mr Speaker of the House greetings to you. Secondly to the members greetings to you and greetings to the people of Maniapoto. 
] 
It is an honour and a privilege to be speaking on these very important claim settlement bills today. Firstly I would like to acknowledge John Luxton sitting in the House today. It is important that we all recognise as previous speakers have done that we need to right the wrongs of the past and strengthen and move forward with the relationship between iwi and the Crown. This is important so that New Zealand can move forward as one. I would like to acknowledge those who are no longer with us and those who have shown commitment and courage on this journey to get here today.  
I would firstly like to recognise the importance of the Waipa River to the Maniapoto people and acknowledge its deep cultural and spiritual significance. To Maniapoto the Waipa is a sacred river where the Tuhoe rituals were performed where the umbilical rights were observed and where the purification rituals were undertaken. The Waipa is the river who chants her farewell to the departed ones and the river whose waters bid welcome to newborns and visitors from afar. Through co-governance we hope to achieve the long-term health of the river and sustain its environment.  
The purpose of the bill is to maintain the quality and the integrity of the waters that flow into and form part of the Waipa River for present and future generations. We as the Crown have a responsibility in terms of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi to provide for the relationship with Maniapoto and their culture and traditions with the Waipa River to also improve and coordinate governance and management arrangements for the Waipa River’s strategic performance with New Zealand’s social cultural environmental and economic well-being and to provide clear direction and certainty around the co-governance and co-management of the Waipa River.  
We want future generations to benefit from this river. Maniapoto’s connection to the river transcends the arguments of ownership because it is part of the identity of their people. It is a sacred connection that we must respect and honour. In the area of the Upper Waipa River in particular the people of Maniapoto have a significant stake in the social economic and environmental well-being of the community. We share the same common goal of wanting to protect the river and its resources. Its sustainability is key to its survival. The river gives spiritual nourishment to the people of Maniapoto and through our co-governance it will continue not only for the iwi but also for the greater community as well.  
Other speakers are correct when they have said that it is not possible to fully compensate iwi for the loss their people have suffered as we cannot turn the clock back or return all that was lost. I acknowledge the generosity of the iwi in accepting this. This is a very important day not only for those who have gathered here today but also for those who have gone before us and for those who will follow us. Kia ora.