Horan Brendan: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading 
Horan Brendan: Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:678;Page:1050] 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 I rise on behalf of New Zealand First and I humbly state how proud I am to be here tonight and to be a positive part of this essential healing process as all of us are—to be a part of history. These settlements will enable the Te Kooti Rikirangi whanau and the Rongowhakaata whanau to finally be able to look to the future. When you have been dispossessed of your land it costs future generations in so many ways. Now with these settlements Maori can move forward leverage on assets and invest wisely following the kaumatuas’ vision and strategies for the education of the people. I spoke about spiritual dignity and healing earlier tonight and part of the proof of that will be the job creation for Maori and Pakeha when the settlement is paid and the vision and strategies can be actioned for the good of all the wider Gisborne community. 
Te Kooti Rikirangi and Rongowhakaata whanau have far-reaching extended family ties. As Ngati Maniapoto I am proud of Te Tokanga-nui-a-Noho the koha built for Maniapoto who gave refuge to Te Kooti when he needed it. And as a member of the Maori Affairs Committee I look forward to the upcoming interaction and discussions. 
In relation to Rongowhakaata as pointed out by many of my peers tonight the chair of the Maori Affairs Committee the Hon Tau Henare has family connections since his tupuna also named Tau Henare married a Rongowhakaata princess. There is another synergy there because the honourable Tau married his very own Maori princess last night. Now that he is happily married I know—I can see—that he will be far more good-natured and tractable. Given that reality I am confident that through the process of this Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill we will all move as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. 
Many people have made this settlement claim their life’s work and New Zealand First would like to acknowledge one of the main drivers Darcy Ria now passed away but here in spirit. 
We need to bear in mind that these tribes occupy reserves that are not always blessed with good infrastructure and services. Some are out in the backblocks and this challenge lifts the bar because the people will expect local benefits as well as long-term developments. A Treaty settlement does not always allow for freedom of investment because the assets are often land-based but a good export return will generate a good income. So we need to keep an eye on the future for all settlements. 
Within this bill there is also an outstanding issue of an implementation nature that needs to be worked through involving the Crown and the meeting house Te Hau ki Turanga currently at Te Papa and carved by Raharuhi Rukupo. It may not be known by Minister Finlayson that Raharuhi is also the biblical term for Lazarus. Far be it from me to say that this debate is scriptural but let it be known that New Zealand First effected a Lazarus-like feat in the recent election enabling us to stand and offer support and a guarding watchful eye to this settlement. Kia ora.