Horan Brendan: Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Horan Brendan: Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
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BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 New Zealand First asked for these settlement bills to be read in the bright light of day so that all of New Zealand could gain a greater understanding of each grievance and the process and to witness the settlement. In many settlements iwi are given land in a ceremonial fashion and then return it. They have been more than reasonable so that awareness is gained apologies are accepted and a commitment to move forward into the future is understood and undertaken. 
We have seen four prior settlements today and in earlier speeches I have referred to the opportunities afforded iwi with financial settlements. But let no one in this House or anywhere in New Zealand believe that money is being thrown at Maori. The total amount paid out to all Maori tribes is not billions; in fact it pales in significance when compared with asset sales and the $1.7 billion South Canterbury Finance bailout. It may surprise you that the total amount of settlements in the history of New Zealand to date is less than $1 billion; it is $955 million. Having said all of that I am sure that no one would begrudge a little money going to our East Coast National Provincial Championship team who I am told have endured the presence of Parekura Horomia for many years. 
I would like to point out to iwi with new finances that there is a powerful tool on our doorstep that can revolutionise the retraining and upskilling of our people with new skills and competencies. The biggest convergence that the world has ever seen is about to happen and that is broadband power coming together under the same umbrella as browser ubiquity. That convergence will bring about change in human behaviours in the new education systems related to that convergence. The social infrastructure of whanau hapu and iwi advantages Maori for the new broadband literacies that will be required to trade and operate successfully in the new commercial world. I look forward to seeing intergenerational learning intergenerational caregiving health and support systems and intergenerational and cross-iwi networks. 
New Zealand First offers congratulations to Ngati Porou on the culmination of a journey where reparation was first sought during the Muldoon Government. It has been a long gruelling journey and there have been many difficulties of varying nature—one being communication because of the relative isolation of what some would say is the most beautiful part of New Zealand. Our East Coast roads are not like the smoothly travelled highways of Auckland and journeys can often be delayed due to slips such as the one currently blocking the Waioeka Gorge which is the main route from Gisborne through to Whakatane and on to the port of Tauranga. There is of course the coast road but you only have to see a logging truck coming at you from round a blind bend as you are travelling from Torere through to Te Kaha to know how scary that can be. I know the East Coast well through my fishing and surfing sojourns as I grew up in Whakatane but if you have never been on this stretch of coastline you are missing out. It is amazing and you only have to see the children fishing gathering kai moana and riding horses around bareback to know what a special place and what a special piece of country this is and also a slice of Kiwi life that is precious.  
Another major challenge for Ngati Porou was the cost of World War II—the shocking loss of so many promising young Maori from the 28th Battalion or the Maori Battalion. This war deprived Ngati Porou of many future leaders who gave their lives for our country so far away from their East Coast shores. In 2008 I had the privilege to be present at Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae for the launch of the book on C Company written by Monty Soutar. It is a wonderful account of the mana of Ngati Porou and the soldiers of the Maori Battalion. Modern New Zealanders know of Corporal Apiata VC but I want every member in this House to remember the peerless hero of the Maori Battalion Ngati Porou’s warrior son Te Moananui-a-kiwa Ngarimu VC and let no one doubt the ethic of service that this tribe has shown to fellow New Zealanders. And it was the giant of all Maori parliamentarians Sir Apirana Ngata who characterised the efforts of his tribe and the battalions as being the price of citizenship. 
I would like to remind us that this tribe not only have affection for their land but they have a mighty river the Waiapu. Settlements are not only about economic opportunity but a chance to improve Maori participation in natural resource management. I look forward to the implementation of the vision and strategies that Ngati Porou leaders have for their tribe. 
Ngati Porou are no strangers to New Zealand First. [ 
Interruption 
] I am listening to my fellow members and in keeping with their encouragement to be modest—and like the kumara that never boasts of its sweetness—we are proud to support the elders the chiefs and all the leadership in their strategies to lead the tribe forward to benefit not only Ngati Porou but the entire East Coast and the greater New Zealand. Kia ora.