Davis Kelvin: Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee 
Davis Kelvin: Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:655;Page:5042] 
KELVIN DAVIS (Labour) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Chairman. I am happy to rise to talk about the Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill and particularly Part 1 and the purpose of the bill. I believe that there is only one purpose for this bill. The purpose behind the deed of settlement is to right the wrongs of the past. It is to acknowledge that the Crown had a big hand to play in disenfranchising Taranaki whanui from their lands resources and basically their livelihoods. That occurred over a number of years. 
I also take the strange step of saying that I agree with my whanaunga opposite from Ngati Hine Tau Henare because this bill is not about those who have signed on the dotted line; it is about the future. The reason for the deed of settlement is to heal the hurts of the past but it is also about launching into the future. I also agree with Hekia Parata that it is not so much about the quantum but about moving on and allowing Maori to as I have said a number of times assume our rightful place in this country by moving into positions of leadership and being examples to the young kids of today. So I agree with my whanaunga Tau Henare. I disagree with him on one point as far as it is possible for anyone from within Ngati Hine to disagree with another from Ngati Hine; in fact that would never happen. 
This bill relates also to a number of hapu of the Taranaki whanui in particular Te Atiawa Ngati Tama Taranaki Ngati Ruanui and other Taranaki iwi. It affects a number of people in those tribes. Part 1 talks about the historical account of what went on. It is important that there are acknowledgments from the Crown as to the part it played all those years ago. As I said last night it is really important that there is an apology. It is all part of healing and moving forward. Last night I read from the deed of settlement a passage about the fact that Taranaki whanui accepted the apology and forgave the Crown. That is a really important part of this settlement because without that forgiveness all that hurt and mamae as we say in Maori would still be there and it would be really difficult for people to move on and progress. 
I again acknowledge the officials who informed us during the course of the debate as well as the other members of the Maori Affairs Committee. Again I agree with the Hon Tau Henare that it is— 
Hon Tau Henare 
: That’s twice. 
Grant Robertson 
: Third time and you’ll be out. 
KELVIN DAVIS 
: Yes three strikes and I will be out if I agree with that member again. It is great that as members of the Maori Affairs Committee we have our party political sides but we are also looking for some sort of common agreement that it is all about us as Maori moving ahead and finding solutions to our issues. I will not say that I agree with Mr Henare again. 
There has been a lot of work put in to get to this stage as my colleague the Hon Mita Ririnui said. Ministers from the previous Government got things rolling and their names have been mentioned. I also acknowledge this bill coming to this point where we are almost at the final stages for Taranaki whanui. They have waited long enough. It is time now for them to settle this and to put it behind them. They have forgiven; they will not forget. Let us move ahead as a country.