Burton Mark: Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Burton Mark: Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:634;Page:5504] 
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Bill be now read a third time 
. I stand to acknowledge the significance of this day for the people of Te Arawa and acknowledge especially those in the galleries of the House who have travelled here to join us. Sadly some of those who began the long task of negotiating a settlement for Te Arawa’s claims in relation to the lakes are no longer with us. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their contribution now. E nga mate haere haere haere. 
When Te Arawa sought to have their mandate recognised by the Crown they quoted a proverb: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini.” which means: “My strength is not my own rather it is the strength of many.” This proverb appropriately describes the determination of the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board to see this settlement through to completion. Over the past 8 years since their mandate was recognised the trust board has steadfastly represented the interests of Te Arawa as a whole in relation to their lakes. The trust board has withstood challenges from a few of their own people but today they still stand strong as representatives of Te Arawa. As I noted during the Committee stage few will ever know or understand the huge personal cost incurred—and I mean cost in every sense of the word—by those who have carried the responsibility of leadership throughout this long process. 
 This bill brings to an end the longstanding and significant grievances of Te Arawa in relation to the Te Arawa Lakes and settles all their historical Treaty claims in relation to their lakes. This bill contains a formal apology to Te Arawa for the breaches of the Treaty acknowledged by the Crown and provides both financial and cultural redress. Importantly the ownership of 13 of the Te Arawa lakebeds is transferred and the opportunity is provided to actively participate in the lakes’ management. 
Te Arawa began negotiations with the Crown in 1999. The main components of the settlement package were agreed in December 2003 and a deed of settlement initialled by negotiators—as members know—in October 2004. A significant majority of Te Arawa who were eligible to vote participated in a postal ballot to confirm their support for the settlement. Accordingly representatives of the Crown and Te Arawa signed a deed of settlement at Parliament on 18 December 2004. The passage of this bill is the final step that will enable the Crown to provide the settlement redress to Te Arawa. 
The historic Treaty claims of Te Arawa concerning the lakes relate mainly to Crown actions that breached the Treaty of Waitangi. These included the Crown’s failure to legislate for a sufficient number of fishing licences for Te Arawa in 1908 when it promoted legislation to address the problem of hardship and the Crown’s failure to review the annuity paid to Te Arawa as part of the 1922 Te Arawa Lakes agreement when it materially lost value as a result of inflation. 
Through this bill Te Arawa will relinquish the ability to lodge further historic claims in relation to the lakes in the Waitangi Tribunal or the courts. They will join Waikato Tainui in respect of their raupatu claims Ngai Tahu Ngati Turangitukua Pouakani Te Uri o Hau Ngati Ruanui Ngati Tama Ngati Awa and Ngati Tuwhareatoa Bay of Plenty in this respect. These groups have all negotiated full and final settlements in relation to historic claims. 
At the same time others have been exercising their rights as Maori to register historic claims in the Waitangi Tribunal. The tribunal has already produced a large number of reports on many of these claims behind which sits a huge body of research. I do not believe 20 years after historic claims were first allowed that there are many remaining issues still to be brought forward to the Crown’s notice through the tribunal process. This Government is strongly committed to the resolution of all historic claims and the passage of this bill is I suggest to members a particularly important step towards that goal. 
As Te Arawa knows so well lodging a claim in the Waitangi Tribunal is only the beginning of the process. Long years of work have been put in by the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board Ministers the Office of Treaty Settlements and many other agencies and departments to reach this settlement. This bill marks the final chapter in the long and proud history of the Te Arawa Maori Trust Board. As agreed by Te Arawa the trust board will cease to exist after settlement date and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust will become the new governance entity for Te Arawa in relation to their lakes. 
I acknowledge the past and present members of the trust board for their dedication and determination on behalf of their people to seek a resolution of their grievances and for the myriad of other achievements. I acknowledge all of those from Te Arawa who have worked tirelessly towards making this day possible. I take the opportunity in particular to acknowledge Anaru Rangiheuea the chairman of Te Arawa Maori Trust Board who has led this claim. Rangatira ma tena koutou. Also David Tapsell the chief negotiator for the settlement and Roku Mihinui the general manager of the trust board. They have provided leadership and determination over the years that has resulted in the settlement package we have before us today.  
I acknowledge my predecessor the Hon Margaret Wilson for her fortitude and leadership in seeking the resolution of Te Arawa’s claims in relation to the lakes. I acknowledge my colleagues the Minister of Maori Affairs the Minster of Conservation the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Environment. I particularly acknowledge the valuable support and contribution made by the Associate Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Mita Ririnui and of course all the Crown officials who contributed to this settlement. In particular I note the excellent work of claim managers Ben White and Tania Gerrard which has been an important factor in helping us to reach today’s outcome. It is also appropriate to acknowledge the contributions of the first Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations to the early stages of the negotiations the Hon Sir Douglas Graham. 
In closing I encourage all New Zealanders to read the historical account outlined in the Te Arawa Lakes deed of settlement. Stories such as these are important episodes in our history but remembering them is vital to understanding the relationship between the tangata whenua of this country and those of us whose ancestors arrived here later. We must know our history if we are to learn and benefit from its lessons. I wish in particular all the best for the future to Te Arawa their elders descendants and their negotiating team. They will shortly begin the task of managing their settlement assets. I am certain that they will do so with the tenacity commitment and sound judgment that they have showed throughout the settlement process. I look forward to witnessing their endeavours into the future. I commend this bill to the House.