Burton Mark: Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Burton Mark: Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:624;Page:19322] 
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time 
. I stand to acknowledge the significance of this day for the people of Ngati Awa a number of whom have joined us today in the galleries of this House. 
The passage of this bill enables the people of Ngati Awa to move forward beyond the historical grievances they have suffered at the hands of the Crown. The bill is equally significant for the Crown and for the people of this country and it enables the restoration of the honour of the Crown. It represents a further step in the journey towards the reconciliation of the relationship between the peoples of this country and importantly between Ngati Awa and the Crown. 
This bill brings to an end the longstanding and significant grievances of Ngati Awa and settles all their historical treaty claims. The historical background to the claims of Ngati Awa makes for sombre reading. It provides an account of New Zealand’s history wherein Ngati Awa can be said to have been faithful to the spirit of the treaty partnership in seeking to build strong relationships with its treaty partner. But the Crown did not reciprocate that behaviour. This bill contains a formal apology to Ngati Awa for the breaches of the treaty acknowledged by the Crown. 
Ngati Awa commenced direct negotiations with the Crown in 1996. The main components of the settlement package were finalised in October 2000. A deed of settlement the formal Crown offer to Ngati Awa to settle the claims under the Treaty of Waitangi was then developed by the Crown and Ngati Awa negotiators. A significant majority of Ngati Awa participated in a postal ballot to confirm their support for the settlement. Accordingly representatives of the Crown and Ngati Awa signed a deed of settlement at Parliament on 27 March 2003. 
The passing of the Te Runanga o Ngati Awa Bill last night enables Ngati Awa to reconstitute its existing entity in order to receive the settlement redress. The passage of this settlement bill is the final hurdle to enable the Crown to transfer the settlement redress to Ngati Awa. 
This Government is fully committed to progressing the settlement of valid historical treaty claims. That is a two-way process—a process that seeks to restore a set of relationships that have not been maintained or in some cases even activated and a process that seeks to resolve all the historical treaty claims of respected Maori communities and to resolve longstanding and deeply-felt grievances. 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: Over the course of a decade the Crown has developed and refined a process of settling historical treaty claims. That process is now leading to a steady stream of comprehensive settlements being reached. This Government has concluded four settlements in the past 2 years and is currently in active negotiations with some 12 groups. We have also made some major inroads into progressing claims in the far north and streamlining the treaty settlement process. 
The Crown has withstood challenges in the Waitangi Tribunal and the courts concerning its policy approach to settlements. Both the tribunal and the courts inquired into the Ngati Awa settlement itself. I am pleased to note that those inquiries found in favour of the Ngati Awa settlement process. 
Now that the settlement process has been developed and has stood up to scrutiny we are well placed to move forward and this Government is committed to making positive progress in settling historical claims. We have continued in the claims settled in this bill and will continue in future settlements to negotiate with the interests of all citizens of New Zealand in mind so that as New Zealanders we can all be very proud that significant grievances are recognised and settled peacefully and within the law. 
I am pleased to acknowledge all of those from Ngati Awa and the Crown who over so many long and arduous years have given their all to enable us to get to this day. Their passion and commitment have greatly assisted the process. There are so many who deserve some acknowledgment. They know who they are and they are entitled to feel great pride and satisfaction in their achievements. 
In particular I acknowledge Professor Hirini Mead chief negotiator for the settlement of the historical claims of Ngati Awa. I know that Professor Mead has worked extremely hard to bring about this day. His leadership and commitment have greatly assisted this settlement process. 
I also acknowledge my predecessor the Hon Margaret Wilson for her fortitude and leadership in seeking the resolution of Ngati Awa’s claims. I acknowledge my colleagues the Minister of Maori Affairs the Minister of Conservation the Minister of Finance and the Associate Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and all the Crown officials who contributed to this settlement. 
I encourage all New Zealanders to read the historical account outlined in the Ngati Awa deed of settlement. Indeed it outlines a tragic history but it is a history that I think we all must know if we are to recognise our common heritage and learn from it in order to move forward in a unified way. 
I acknowledge the ancestors of Ngati Awa and extend best wishes for the future to its elders descendants and negotiating team. Their journey ahead looks bright and I wish them well in their endeavours. The dignity wisdom and judgment they showed in the settlement process will I believe stand them in good stead as they enter the next stage of their journey forward. I commend this bill to the House.