Eagle PaulPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): Thank you Mr Speaker. It's my pleasure to speak on the first reading of this the Ngāti Tara Tokanui Claims Settlement Bill. E te iwi Ngāti Tara Tokanui tēnā koutou katoa ngā mihi nui. Kia koutou. Can I say as a member of the Māori Affairs Committee it is an honour to speak on any claims settlement bill and it's certainly been one of the highlights for me personally to work through each and every one of these claims that have come through the committee this House and to learn about the grievances but also the facts surrounding some of these which are often at odds with how history presents itself. So I'm looking forward to taking this through the House.I want to just focus on the big picture here and it certainly gives effect to the elements of the Ngāti Paoa deed of settlement signed on 20 March 2021 between the Crown and Ngāti Paoa. You'll see an explanatory note to the bill states that the deed provides for the settlement of all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Tara Tokanui against the Crown. Certainly the bill aims to address all aspects of the settlement that require legislation and today is the start of that process in the House.The settlement outlines as they all do the redress which includes an agreed historical account. Sometimes these can take some time to get right. The previous speaker talked about the length of time between signing the agreement in principle—the AIP—through to how it lands here. But I know working through other settlements that getting an accurate account of history documented as part of this process is very important—getting those Crown acknowledgments right the apology itself. That's critical as is the cultural redress and financial and commercial.When I look at the package that pertains to Ngāti Tara Tokanui we know already that it includes $6 million in terms of the financial redress. Those seven sites of cultural significance for Ngāti Tara Tokanui include Mimitu Pā and Tawhitiaraia. Those two sites are jointly vested with the neighbouring iwi Hako and Ngāti Tamaterā including Karangahake—that area Karangahake being especially significant to Ngāti Tara Tokanui. I know that the Minister Andrew Little talked about it being the manawa or the heart of their rohe. I'm pleased that their relationship with this area will be recognised through this redress and provided through the bill. One of the things that's been happening in Parliament of late has been some accords and I guess those have been good processes for some who have settled and this redress includes relationship protocols with Crown agencies. An accord of such may be something that they'd like to package to ensure that those things in the settlement are delivered upon.There will also be statements of association for the 14 areas of significance. They include the Ōhinemuri River that enhances Ngāti Tara Tokanui's ability to participate in the resource management process. An overlay classification for whenua rāhui which provides for the Crown to acknowledge those iwi values in relation to Karangahake Scenic Reserve and then that cultural redress payment for revitalisation.We've talked a lot about the history today and that's been valuable in terms of recognising those who have put some work in here. I was at the settlement signing here in Parliament nearly a year ago and so we've heard also that it's taken many years to reach this point. So can I acknowledge the tūpuna those members of Ngāti Tara Tokanui who have since passed but have very much been part of this process and who are not here today to see the start of what will be finalised hopefully this term.I want to acknowledge the Minister—I've talked about the Hon Andrew Little but also his predecessor the Hon Christopher Finlayson—for their work; their negotiators Russell Karu and Amelia Williams because they were the ones who were part of this process since 2011; the trustees of the Ngāti Tara Tokanui Trust the governance entity for this settlement. They are not here today unfortunately but that's an important part of the process too. Often there is a change in the governance structure once settlement is made into the post-settlement entity and getting that structure right to deliver on those points I made earlier in terms of the financial redress the cultural redress but also to set them up in a way that they will be able to deliver on the promises and to do the things that they want to do in the way that they want to do it. I also want to acknowledge the work of the Chief Crown Negotiator Michael Dreaver and more recently the Hon Rick Barker for their work too; those Crown agencies of Te Arawhiti and others who have worked together to achieve this settlement.When I look back at when this process first started it began at Ngahutoitoi Marae in 2011 and along with Russell Koru and Amelia Williams. That essentially was when the mandate was made to negotiate this settlement with the Crown. That was reached in 2011 and the AIP—the agreement in principle—was signed in 2017 right here as I said.There are some points in history that I want to reinforce they have been made well. I think one of the saddest things that comes through all settlements is I guess the Crown purchasing and the operation of the native land laws together say with the Public Works Act where land is taken the people are alienated divided and fragmented. That certainly was the case with Ngāti Tara Tokanui. I think one of the saddest things for me is learning that there was some authorisation made by the Crown in terms of some discharge which would certainly not be allowed to be made in this time in the Ōhinemuri and Waihou rivers. Those discharges ultimately caused illness and death. It's not unique but it's great that we're able to be in a position where we're able to acknowledge those who passed and for many they may not have known why. So for us to expose document—and I made mention of getting the accuracy of the history right because too often these sorts of incidents or the exposure of such incidents are so horrific that there's a temptation not to ensure that they are put in. This is in the Crown address in terms of its history. I acknowledge both parties for achieving that. The third point on this is that by 2020 Ngāti Tara Tokanui was essentially landless. That I guess sums up for me the first step in this House of addressing the Ngāti Tara Tokanui Claims Settlement Bill. I look forward to working through this on the Māori Affairs Committee. I commend this bill to the House.