Wilson Margaret: Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Wilson Margaret: Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:608;Page:5262] 
Hon MARGARET WILSON (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time 
. Today is a special day for the people of Ngati Ruanui and for the Crown marking as it does a further step in the journey towards reconciliation. It will enable new pathways to be forged enhancing Ngati Ruanui’s economic social and cultural well-being. It will help foster more effective and durable relationships between Ngati Ruanui and the Crown—relationships based on goodwill and trust. This bill will bring an end to the longstanding and significant grievances of Ngati Ruanui and will settle all the historical treaty claims of Ngati Ruanui. 
The historical background to the claims makes sober reading. It provides an account of New Zealand’s history that saw Ngati Ruanui faithful to the spirit of the treaty partnership and seeking to build strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust. But the Crown did not act like that in return. This bill contains a formal apology to Ngati Ruanui for the breaches of the treaty acknowledged by the Crown which I will shortly read out publicly at Pariroa Pa. 
Ngati Ruanui has been in direct negotiations with the Crown since April 1998 when a deed of mandate was recognised. A heads of agreement recording agreement on the main components of a settlement was signed in September 1999. A deed of settlement—the formal Crown offer to Ngati Ruanui to settle the claims under the treaty—was then developed by the Crown and the Ngati Ruanui negotiators. The deed was signed on 12 May 2001 and subsequently ratified by a significant majority of the people. 
This Government is fully committed to progressing the settlement of valid historical treaty claims. I know that some members of Parliament and some among the public like to criticise the current treaty settlement process. Those people forget that it is a process involving two parties that seeks to restore—and in some cases to establish—a set of relationships and to resolve all the historical treaty claims of a group of people. This Government has streamlined the treaty settlement process and better aligned it with the Waitangi Tribunal’s new case-management approach. As a result we are now seeing a comprehensive settlement achieved every 6 months. 
The Crown has withstood challenges in the Waitangi Tribunal and in the courts concerning its policy approach to settlements. This settlement was itself inquired into by both the tribunal and the courts and I am pleased to note that on the whole those inquiries found in favour of the Ngati Ruanui settlement proceeding. We should all be reassured by the fact that the Crown is certain of the validity of the claims settled by this bill and has negotiated with the interests of all citizens in mind. 
It remains for me to acknowledge all of those from Ngati Ruanui and the Crown who over so many long and arduous years have given their all to enable us to arrive at this day. Their passion commitment and can-do attitude have greatly assisted in this process. There are so many of them who deserve acknowledgment. They know who they are and they are entitled to feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction for their achievements. I know that this process has been daunting it has been arduous and it has taken its toll. 
 In particular I acknowledge Pat Heremia the chief negotiator for the settlement of the historical claims of Ngati Ruanui Tangahoe and Pakakohi. I know that Pat has worked extremely hard to bring about this day. His zest commitment and understanding of things Maori and of Crown processes greatly assisted in this settlement. We acknowledge them all Pat. 
I would encourage all New Zealanders to read the historical account outlined in the Ngati Ruanui deed of settlement. It is a grisly history of which some people are aware but unfortunately many more are not. It is a history that we must all be familiar with so that we can move forward together. 
I wish the people of Ngati Ruanui Tangahoe and Pakakohi—their ancestors their elders their descendants and their negotiating team—well for the future whatever it may hold. Their journey ahead looks extremely bright and I wish them well in their endeavours. The dignity wisdom and judgment they demonstrated in the settlement process will greatly assist on the pathways opening ahead. The enhancement of their cultural social and economic development awaits them. I commend this bill to the House.