Whaitiri MekaHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): Madam Assistant Speaker tēnā koe. E ngā mema o Te Whare tēnā tātou katoa. It is a privilege to be able to speak on the Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill—a very historic bill that is before us in this House. Madam Assistant Speaker with your indulgence I'd like to greet the iwi of Ngāti Kahungungu in an appropriate manner. Rau rangatira mā e kui mā e koro mā anei ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa kua tae mai i runga i te kaupapa te kaupapa whakanui te kaupapa whakahirahira te kaupapa tika. Nō reira e ngā mana e ngā reo ōku rau rangatira mā tēnā koutou nau mai tēnā koutou nau mai tēnā koutou katoa.[Distinguished chiefs elders allow me to pay my respects to you all who have come here on this mission a mission of celebration an important mission a just mission. Therefore to those from diverse backgrounds and cultures my distinguished chiefs greetings and welcome greetings and welcome greetings to one and all.]Getting to the House has been a journey for some today but nothing compares to the journey of ngā hapū me ngā iwi o Te Rohe o Te Wairoa. I want to firstly acknowledge the kind words that colleagues have shared in this House but may I make it very clear that there is only one kōpapa here and this is the third and final reading of the Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill. I am so privileged and honoured as the current member for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti to join in with the people that have joined us here in acknowledging the passage of this bill.It is pleasing to be the final speaker on this bill. Madam Assistant Speaker may I make some acknowledgments? First and foremost can I acknowledge the tīpuna who suffered at the hands of the Crown who lost lives who lost land and who without trial were imprisoned in Te Wharekauri. There was a pattern happening on the East Coast of the North Island. Before the Treaty was signed Wairoa Māori Tūranga Māori lived an autonomous life. They lived under their tikanga under their whakapapa and managed their lands as they saw fit. In Te Wairoa despite the Musket Wars in 1820 we had whalers that settled in places like Te Māhia in 1830.The Treaty was signed—as we all know—on 6 February 1840. It was never ever taken to the people of Te Wairoa. There was no debate. There was no consultation for the people of Te Wairoa. In the Treaty there are three articles. The first article—depending on which version you read: the Pākehā version talked about sovereignty; the Māori one talked about kāwanatanga governance. The second part of the article promised Māori the undisturbed possession of their lands and their waterways. The third part of the article gave the rights and protection of Māori as British subjects.In speaking to this bill the Crown breached article 2 and it breached article 3. At no time did they talk to the Māori of Te Wairoa around whether they wanted to enter into this partnership. Let me be very very clear: the Treaty was not taken to Te Wairoa. After 1840 when the Treaty was signed you will see a pattern: in the 1860s as the wars went around the country—it started in Taranaki went to Waikato—Wairoa Māori like Tūranga Māori wanted to just remain peaceful and carry on their business.But it was the war at Āmuruhākeke kāinga in September 1865—a month after the Waerenga a Hika siege just up the road in Tūranga in November 1865. Those wars then enabled the Crown to move in to Te Wairoa as they did in Tūranga and confiscate and put magistrates in these areas to ensure that the land that was obtained was obtained under duress. These generous people who above us have paid enormously in the land that was taken in the loss of life and like I mentioned earlier in those that were sent to Wharekauri without trial.I want to acknowledge those that filed the claims in the 1980s and who are no longer here. I want to acknowledge the negotiators who have been mentioned here. I want to acknowledge Johnny Whaanga. I want to acknowledge Tāmati Olsen and all the negotiators that have worked really hard on bringing the deed of settlement to fruition. I want to acknowledge the Ministers: the Hon Chris Finlayson; I want to acknowledge the Hon Andrew Little. I want to also acknowledge Office of Treaty Settlements officials and of course I want to acknowledge the work of the Māori Affairs Committee who did a wonderful job in seeing and having submissions on this particular bill.But in the time I've got left as we heard in the pō'hiri in the hall across from the debating chambers this is about the future. This is about Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust. I want to acknowledge the initial trustees that are gathered here today for your stewardship since the deed of settlement was signed until the final reading of this bill. I want to particularly acknowledge the four ohu—the pillars that these people have worked so tirelessly around: the work plan the engagement plan and then the settlement matters and of course the operational services.This settlement bill and the people that it is being read for have prepared themselves well to receive all the assets that are coming to them. I want to respond to my colleague the Hon Willie Jackson when he asked the question Where shall we be investing in?"—where shall we be investing? Can I respond to my colleague that the responsibility of health housing and education rests with the Crown. It is the role and the responsibility of the Crown to address not just the social but the cultural and the economic and the environmental needs of the people of Te Wairoa. So I love my colleague here but I think he's off cue when he thinks that the $100 million should be invested in that. I have every faith that the leadership of ngā hapū me ngā iwi o Te Rohe o Te Wairoa will make the wise decision. Can I acknowledge our rangatahi our tamariki who have joined us here today because if we're talking about the future they are our leaders for tomorrow. I want to acknowledge those that are here with us in witnessing an event that is going to open up so many opportunities for themselves for the wider Wairoa district and for Aotearoa New Zealand. I am very proud to stand here in support of the people of ngā hapū me ngā iwi o Te Rohe o Te Wairoa. I wish them well I wish them speedy returns to their homes and I look forward to working as we continue this journey on the East Coast—this East Coast the jewel of Aotearoa New Zealand the place that people need to come to to see. This settlement is going to aid and abet the opportunities for the people of Te Wairoa. I can't wait for that to happen. I can't wait to work alongside them. This coalition Government is ready—Mr Jones is ready to come into Wairoa. He made commitments about opening the railway line from Napier to Wairoa. It is indeed an honour—it is indeed an honour to stand in this House to commend this bill at the third and final reading of ngā hapū me ngā iwi o Te Rohe o Te Wairoa settlement bill. I commend it to the House. Kia ora tātou.Bill read a third time.Waiata"