Cullen Michael: Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill — First Reading 
Cullen Michael: Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:650;Page:19156] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill be now read a first time. 
 At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be considered by the Maori Affairs Committee. 
This bill achieves three important things. It recognises the special and enduring relationship that Waikato-Tainui has with the Waikato River historically culturally and spiritually manifested in the dual principles of te mana o te awa and mana whakahaere. In so doing it provides a legal structure within which that relationship can be protected and exercised in the future and which also recognises the connections that other iwi have with the river. Thirdly it creates a framework within which all communities with an interest in the river can play a part in its stewardship. Each of the changes created by this bill focuses on the goals on which all river stakeholders can agree the restoration of the health and well-being of the Waikato River and its sustainable management into the future. This is a historic achievement for Waikato-Tainui for all other residents in the Waikato region and because it is the largest and most significant river system in the country for the people of New Zealand. 
When the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 it contained the promise of a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between the Crown and Pakeha—sorry the Crown and Maori; the other one we call an election promise when it is broken. Too often the promise and potential of that agreement have remained unfulfilled. This legislation aims to realise that potential and promise and to establish an innovative co-management regime for the Waikato River. 
The bill establishes the Guardians of the Waikato River on which all river iwi and regional and national stakeholders are represented. It sets out a vision for the Waikato River. The guardians are responsible for the vision for the river and the strategy to achieve that vision. The guardians establishment committee set up following the agreement in principle for this settlement in December 2007 has already been hard at work and has completed a public consultation process to determine the vision and strategy the key elements of which are incorporated and recognised in this bill. This provided a confidence-building process in which Waikato-Tainui and all other stakeholders—other iwi regional interests and the Crown—could begin to focus on what was required to restore the health and well-being of the Waikato River. The way in which all members of the Guardians Establishment Committee carried out their tasks and the relationship they have developed provides cause for optimism that this settlement will have a profound and positive impact. 
The bill also establishes the Waikato River Statutory Board. This board on which Waikato-Tainui Environment Waikato and other local authorities are represented provides for Waikato-Tainui to participate at the highest level in the co-management of the river. The board will be responsible for the implementation of the vision and strategy and for monitoring progress towards the goals that have been established. 
To ensure the changes introduced in this legislation do not duplicate existing processes and create unnecessary additional costs for all parties the bill integrates this settlement within existing regulatory frameworks by providing legislative recognition for the vision and strategy. The vision and strategy will be a national policy statement for the purposes of the Resource Management Act and a statement of general policy for the purposes of conservation legislation. Through a Kiingitanga Accord between Waikato-Tainui and the Crown the bill will also provide the structure for future relationships between Waikato-Tainui and Ministers of the Crown and their agencies as they work together to restore the health and well-being of the river. 
To ensure the relationships facilitated by this legislation can be sustained the settlement provides funding for several purposes: to provide a $50 million fund for the Waikato Raupatu River Trust to undertake initiatives to restore and protect their relationships with the river and its flora and fauna to provide for ongoing participation by Waikato-Tainui in the co-management framework established by this legislation and to provide a $20 million endowment to support the vision of the late Sir Robert Mahuta who led Waikato-Tainui through the historical settlement process and initiated the claims on which those settlements have been based. Finally the settlement establishes a clean-up fund with an initial Crown contribution of $7 million per year for 30 years. 
The settlement is a clear and straightforward solution to a complex and difficult problem. The Waikato is our largest river system. It supports a complex interlinked series of relationships in which human habitation is a major component. Long-term failures in existing management relationships associated with the river have seen the quality of this vital system compromised. Future generations Maori and non-Maori faced the prospect of inheriting a river system in a steadily degrading state. This settlement provides the framework within which that degradation can be properly and adequately addressed and funded the river returned to health and well-being and a sustainable management regime implemented so that our children and grandchildren will inherit a healthy river. 
In 1975 Sir Robert Mahuta said: “The River belongs to us just as we belong to the River. The Waikato tribe and the River are inseparable. It is a gift left to us by our ancestors and we believe we have a duty to protect that gift for future generations.” Sir Robert’s work has been carried on and fulfilled in this settlement under the leadership of his widow Lady Raiha Mahuta and Tukoroirangi Morgan. In introducing this legislation to implement the Waikato River deed of settlement we are beginning to carry out that duty adequately—in partnership with Waikato-Tainui—for the first time. 
In closing these comments I would like of course to pay tribute to Waikato-Tainui under the leadership of King Tuheitia and to recognise the presence in the public gallery of his sister as his personal representative and his chief speaker. It is the determination of Waikato-Tainui that has placed the restoration of the health and well-being of the river at the forefront of this settlement and ensured that every aspect of this bill is focused on that goal. 
This agreement builds on the relationship between Waikato-Tainui and the Crown that was re-established with the settlement of historical land claims. That settlement has been of great benefit to both Waikato-Tainui and the wider community. I expect no less from this settlement. Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker.