Ardern Shane: Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee 
Ardern Shane: Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:607;Page:4935] 
SHANE ARDERN (NZ National—Taranaki - King Country) 
: 
 It is with a great deal of pleasure that I rise to speak in support of this bill today as the member of Parliament for Taranaki - King Country. Obviously that is the area that the Ngati Ruanui iwi comes from although I think its boundaries are slightly south of where the boundary of my electorate starts. This legislation and this process have a very long history. I suspect there are people not very far away from us right now who have had a very long journey to this point and I welcome them and congratulate them on the efforts that they have put in. I also congratulate the Minister on finally getting the legislation to this point. This is an important process that we must go through. 
I also acknowledge those who have gone before this Minister. I acknowledge the Hon Jim Bolger and the leadership he showed with regard to bringing about the settlement of the grievances that have gone in this country now for far too long between the indigenous people and the rest of society. I congratulate the Hon Doug Graham on the work he did despite the controversy around bringing this whole package together. I have to say that the $1 billion fiscal envelope was not the most popular decision that any Government could come up with so I acknowledge both the Hon Jim Bolger and the Hon Doug Graham. I also acknowledge the work that the Hon Georgina te Heuheu has done and is continuing to do on behalf of the National Party in that regard. 
The issues in the various parts of this legislation should not be taken lightly. There is no question in my mind that a whole group of New Zealanders was done an injustice by previous Governments and previous majorities in this country. The research that has been done to get the Ngati Ruanui claim to the point where the Crown has now accepted a settlement of $41 million is substantial. The research that is behind this claim the information that we now have and the final process that has brought us to this point are substantial and that should not be brushed over lightly. 
Various clauses in this bill highlight some of the difficulties in the process. In particular two hapu have voiced an enormous amount of concern. During the Maori Affairs Committee process there were 44 submissions 29 of which were opposed to the bill. In a democratic society that would suggest that this legislation should not proceed. But given the history behind the claim and the amount of research that has brought this legislation to this point it would be absolutely churlish for any member to stand in this Chamber at this point in time and say that because there is a group—no matter how well meaning it is—that is opposed to this legislation we should not proceed with it. For that reason I endorse the fact that we are now proceeding with it. 
I also say to the various interjectors on the Government side of the Chamber who clearly have a view on this bill that they should take a call in order to tell us their view. Some of the people out there in society listening to the radio broadcast of these proceedings will be interested in what the Maori members of the Labour caucus have to say on this bill particularly during the Committee stage with regard to the two hapu that feel aggrieved because this process is proceeding and particularly with regard to those who made submissions to the select committee. I urge those members to take a call in order to state their claim. It is unfortunate that some members of Parliament will not support this legislation going forward. It would be excellent if we could have unanimous support for something as significant as this bill. However those members have very good reasons for that and once again I invite the Government members to take a call and tell us why they think this bill should go ahead. I am sure that those who are opposed to it will take a call to tell us why they think it should not. 
I should also say that this settlement will allow a group of people within the Taranaki area to go forward and contribute to society in a way that it has never been able to. Those people have been disadvantaged. I have grown up in that area so I understand the grievance and the heartache. I understand that generation after generation of Ngati Ruanui has had deep concerns about the way in which it was treated. The facts that that has never ever been acknowledged that the Crown is now saying it accepts it has made mistakes and that an apology has been given are in themselves very good reasons for this legislation to go ahead.