Ririnui Mita: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Ririnui Mita: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:627;Page:21921] 
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Associate Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time 
. In doing so I acknowledge the significance of this day to the people of Nga Rauru Kitahi and to the representatives who are in the House today to witness this very very important occasion. This bill brings to an end the longstanding and significant grievances of Nga Rauru and settles all its historical treaty claims. The past actions of the Crown that are acknowledged in this legislation contributed to the dismantling of Nga Raurutanga and the loss of Nga Rauru Kitahi language land and social structures. That has affected the economic capacity and the physical cultural and spiritual well-being of Nga Rauru Kitahi. What happened to those people in the past was at the very serious end of the scale in terms of breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. This bill contains the Crown’s formal apology to Nga Rauru Kitahi for those breaches of the treaty which are acknowledged by the Crown. 
The historical treaty claims of Nga Rauru Kitahi relate mainly to the wars in Taranaki and to the consequent confiscation of land from Nga Rauru Kitahi. The effect of those actions on Nga Rauru Kitahi was severe. Nga Rauru people were forced by Crown troops to leave their homes and marae for several years in the 1860s and 1870s. When they joined the peaceful settlement at Parihaka they were arrested and imprisoned. I encourage all New Zealanders to read the historical account outlined in the Nga Rauru Kitahi deed of settlement. Stories such as that are scars on our history but remembering them is vital to an understanding of the relationship between the tangata whenua of this country and those whose ancestors arrived later. We must know our history if we wish not to repeat it. 
Nga Rauru Kitahi started its negotiations with the Crown in 2000. An agreement in principle that set out the basis for settling the historical claims was signed on 16 May 2002. A draft deed of settlement was then prepared. More than 67 percent of the people of Nga Rauru Kitahi voted on whether to accept that draft deed and of those 92 percent agreed to accept it. On 27 November 2003 the deed of settlement was signed. Nga Rauru Kitahi has recently established a new governance entity Te Kahui o Rauru to represent all 12 marae of Nga Rauru Kitahi. The trustees have pledged to uphold and be guarded by manaakitanga rangatiratanga whanaungatanga kotahitanga wairuatanga mana whenua kaitiakitanga whakapapa te reo and matauranga. Their vision is to live as Nga Rauru Kitahi to enjoy good health and a quality lifestyle to foster unity and to enable their people to embrace Nga Rauru Kitahitanga. It is a great challenge they have set for themselves and we all wish them well into the future. 
One of the key features of the negotiations has been an emphasis throughout by Nga Rauru Kitahi on the need to enhance its relationship with the Crown into the future. I am encouraged by that fact. In negotiating its settlement Nga Rauru Kitahi expressed a desire to establish a forum to provide an ongoing relationship with the Crown. That has been done through the establishment of a paepae rangatira—a chief-to-chief forum. The forum will assist in contributing to the development of an ongoing and a positive treaty relationship. 
The passage of this settlement bill represents the final steps of a journey for Nga Rauru Kitahi and the Crown that began when the leaders of Nga Rauru Kitahi courageously decided in 1999 to try to move from grievance mode towards a more positive future. I acknowledge that that was a very difficult decision for Nga Rauru Kitahi to make. I commend it for negotiating with the utmost good faith and for demonstrating that it was willing to cooperate and compromise in order to reach an agreement. 
This is the third claims settlement bill to pass through the House this year. The additional effort this Government is putting into settling treaty claims is paying off. This year has seen three settlement claims passed—more than ever before in a single year. That means that three more claimant groups have had past wrongs acknowledged and that there are three more groups with which new and better relationships with the Crown are now possible. I am pleased to acknowledge all those from Nga Rauru Kitahi who have worked towards making this day possible: the kaumatua and kuia who provided leadership and support throughout the marae delegates on the iwi authority the authority’s chairman Mike Neho who made the hard decisions and Martin Davis the authority’s kaiwhakahaere who led the negotiations with the Crown. I also acknowledge the previous Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations the Hon Margaret Wilson for all the work she did in negotiating the settlement of Nga Rauru Kitahi’s claims. I acknowledge my colleagues the Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations the Minister of Maori Affairs the Minister of Conservation and the Minister of Finance and all the Crown officials who contributed to this settlement. 
I wish all the best for the future to Nga Rauru Kitahi to its elders and descendents to the negotiating team and to the trustees of Te Kahui o Rauru. The trustees will shortly begin the task of managing their settlement assets. I am certain that they will do so with the judgment tenacity and commitment they have shown throughout the settlement process. It is important for the House to be aware that a son of Nga Rauru Kitahi is currently the centre of attention on the world sporting stage—and I am talking in particular of Michael Campbell. His message to the people of Nga Rauru and to us all here in Aotearoa is that if he can win a tournament like that so can we all.