Finlayson Christopher: Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Finlayson Christopher: Ngati Makino Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 18 July 2012. Volume:681;Page:3716. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I too acknowledge those who have represented Ngati Makino over a period of many years to achieve this settlement. I was really pleased on behalf of the Crown to sign the deed of settlement with Ngati Makino on 2 April 2011. Other speakers have spoken about the components of the redress which has numerous aspects but today I want to particularly mention the preamble and the historical account. I think it was Louisa Wall who said a few minutes ago that one of the fascinating things about being involved in this work is that you learn about the history of your country. But I think all too often some people think: “Oh well the iwi are concerned only about the commercial redress.” But the historical redress is actually very very important and both the preamble and the historical account—drawn up over a period of time by the elders and on the Crown’s side by very experienced historians—should be more widely read. 
Just the other day I was reading the preamble and the historical account in relation to the Waikato-Tainui legislation about the river and the recognition by the Crown of the rights and interests of Waikato-Tainui in that river. I think that it is important that these parts of redress are properly acknowledged. Mr Horomia has referred to some of it. I suggest for example that people look at clause 7 of the preamble and the surveying costs that were imposed on Ngati Makino in relation to their lands and the Crown preventing Ngati Makino from selling land to private parties. Those are the sorts of grievances that have been carried down through the years and what this settlement intends and hopefully will address in a just and a durable manner because the history up there was not flash. 
I too acknowledge the comments that Mr Horomia made about looking to the future. For example I as Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage and the Minister for Energy and Resources Phil Heatley will be issuing protocols to the iwi. Letters of introduction will be sent to local authorities encouraging the development of positive relationships with Ngati Makino. But I agree with Mr Horomia: it is all very well to sign the deed and to write the letters but there is a new relationship and it has to be a fruitful one and there is an obligation on the Crown after settlement to make sure it lives up to the provisions of the deed. 
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Maori Affairs Committee on 16 February and I want to again express my thanks to the outstanding chair of that committee Mr Henare and his wonderful team for their very efficient and timely dispatch of the legislation. Mr Henare is to be commended. I think it will get better as the morning goes on. In the previous speech he was a “fine one” now he is regarded as “outstanding”; by the end of the day he will be intergalactic! Or is that Mr Groser’s title? 
To the people of Ngati Makino I acknowledge those who have suffered breaches of the Treaty. Do you know that the claims were first presented to the tribunal as far back as 1995? Some of the leaders have now passed on. I acknowledge their vision and determination. We would not be here today without them. I am really pleased that we are beginning the final stages in the passage of this legislation and will have a lot more to say during the third reading.