Ardern Shane: Ngati Tama Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading 
Ardern Shane: Ngati Tama Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:608;Page:5661] 
SHANE ARDERN (NZ National—Taranaki - King Country) 
: 
 It is with a great deal of pleasure that I rise to speak tonight in the first reading of the Ngati Tama Claims Settlement Bill and I certainly endorse support for it to go the Maori Affairs Committee. We have here tonight a group of Taranaki people who have gone through a huge amount of anxiety and a long long journey to get to this position. I say to those who are listening nearby—and I know I cannot refer to exactly where they are because it is against the parliamentary Standing Orders—that I welcome them to Parliament and I welcome this process. I hope those people can go away from this process with some satisfaction that at last an injustice that was perpetrated on them by our early colonial occupation of this land will at least partially be settled and taken care of. 
No amount of money apologies or otherwise at this point in time will redress that problem. There is not enough money in the world to redress some of the atrocities that were committed on a particularly proud people the Ngati Tama a very successful proud people in north Taranaki—despite the actions of successive Governments over the years. They are a successful and proud people and I acknowledge that tonight. I have enjoyed their hospitality on a few occasions. I have represented a Government that from time to time was not entirely kind to them on various issues to do with marine reserves. Despite the fact that those 
fears were very very proper at the time that process did not go ahead and I am pleased to say that I was able to influence my colleagues to some extent to back away from it. 
I need to acknowledge also that what happened in Taranaki in our early colonial times with regard to Parihaka and various other land wars that affected most of the eight iwi in the area was something that until recent times was not recorded in this country’s history books in an accurate form. Previous speakers talked of the way that a passive group of New Zealanders were imprisoned loaded into boats separated from their families sent to the South Island and imprisoned in caves. Some died on the way. Those who were hardy and survived the caves were sent to the West Coast to work on roads and perish there. I need to acknowledge that despite this these are a people who are very forgiving. They have moved on and are still a proud people. 
At this stage I thank the Minister for finally making progress on this legislation. It has been around for a long time as other speakers have said. I also acknowledge the work that Doug Graham and the National Government did during the 1990s to get this whole Treaty of Waitangi settlement process to a point where successive Governments will be able to continue it until it is completed. 
We need to acknowledge the reason we do that. We cannot have 14 percent of our society Maori making up 50 percent or thereabouts of our jail inmates about 30 percent of our unemployed and 30 percent of our chronic health cases and as a nation—if we want to move forward as a single people—not do something about redressing some of these things. This settlement will give the various iwi the power and financial independence to move forward. 
The $14.5 million that is part of this settlement and some of the land that is involved will I think give Ngati Tama an opportunity like none other that they have had in their history. I am sure and I know that under the management they have in place they will manage it well and move forward. In that regard I need to acknowledge Greg White members of the management team within Ngati Tama and the kaumatua but particularly the members of the White family whom I have got to know over a period of time. Greg and his father are formidable opposition. If any people choose to take them on they will find out that they are up against a force to be reckoned with and I acknowledge that and thank them for it. 
 There are others within the iwi group whom I have met who are equally as determined and I acknowledge them as well. Over a number of generations they have steadfastly held to what was right. The fact that they have arrived here after this very long journey is testament to their efforts. I accept that they have put in hours and hours of mindless committee work and for them to come to the House tonight and listen to hours and hours of mindless debate probably does not do much for the parliamentary process and in response to that I will not prolong my speech for the length of time that some members have done. The fact they are here and this settlement is going forward are testimony to the fact that they have done the work. It is also testimony to the fact that the Government after two Parliaments has finally accepted that it should move forward. 
David Benson-Pope 
: Does this member not agree with the National Party’s new policy? 
SHANE ARDERN 
: Given that the senior Government whip seems to be intent on making a speech without standing up I appeal to him to get on with the rest of the Taranaki settlements. This makes it two out of eight. There are a few more to go. The Government should get on with the job and get the rest of the settlements into Parliament. By and large the negotiations are done and there has been acceptance of where they should go. The Government should get the mandate organise the leaders and get on with the process. I acknowledge the Ngati Tama here tonight and wish them luck with their future deliberations. 
Bill read a first time and referred to the Maori Affairs Committee. referred to the Maori Affairs Committee