Finlayson Christopher: Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Finlayson Christopher: Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:678;Page:1532] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I too stand to acknowledge the people of Ngati Porou and especially those who have travelled from Tai Rawhiti and are here in the galleries today to listen to this the third reading of the Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill. I acknowledge them and all of those from Ngati Porou who have worked so very hard to make this day possible. I acknowledge the many Ngati Porou who are no longer with us who provided leadership and inspiration to Ngati Porou negotiators and their people. In saying this I too want to refer to the great Sir Apirana Ngata who was such a distinguished member of this House and I am sure he would be very very pleased to see the third and final reading of this bill. I also want to mention Sir Henry Ngata who died only recently. Some years ago shortly before his death I was in Gisborne on a hui to deal with the foreshore and seabed legislation and I will never forget his presence—his overwhelming presence—and his utterly principled position on that particular topic.  
The Ngati Porou negotiators have done Ngati Porou proud. Throughout their dealings with the Crown they have conducted themselves with honour with dignity even in very difficult times. I am so very pleased that many of you are able to be here today to witness your Treaty settlement passing into law.  
This bill settles the Treaty grievances of Ngati Porou. In the bill the Crown formally acknowledges its breaches of the Treaty offers an apology and provides cultural financial and commercial redress. The people of Ngati Porou have waited a very long time for this day. After many years of preparation formal negotiations began in 2008. The Crown recognised the mandate of te runanga in April of that year. Negotiations with Te Haeata—the negotiation’s subcommittee of te runanga—commenced in July 2008. A non-binding high-level agreement outlining key elements of financial and commercial redress was signed by the Crown and Ngati Porou on 23 October 2008. After a period of robust negotiations a deed was initialled in October 2010. During November and December of that year te rununga undertook a ratification process for the deed and the proposed post-governance entity. The work of the negotiators was acknowledged and endorsed by the people. Those who voted voted overwhelmingly to ratify the settlement. The Crown and Ngati Porou signed a deed of settlement on 22 December 2010 and since then both parties have worked together constructively as their legislation has been progressed. The passage of this bill is the final step which will enable the Crown to provide settlement redress to Ngati Porou.  
I know that most of the elected representatives of the governance entity are here today. I know you have achieved a lot including your inaugural AGM in February this year and I wish you very well in your endeavours. The people have put their faith and trust in you and I am confident you are going to do what is best for the iwi.  
The historical grievances relate primarily to the Crown’s failure to honour its Treaty promise to respect Ngati Porou rangatiratanga over their own affairs. The Crown imposed land tenure reform on Ngati Porou which deprived iwi members of collective control over their land and made it difficult to use their land for economic development. This has helped make the East Coast one of the most socioeconomically deprived regions of New Zealand.  
 Despite the Crown’s failure to honour its Treaty promise and the resulting deprivations Ngati Porou have played a very significant role in a number of aspects of New Zealand’s life. One aspect in particular I want to mention is the long and proud record of service in New Zealand’s defence. This has not come without very tragic consequences. The immediate and long-term consequences for Ngati Porou of the Second World War were that every Ngati Porou whanau had members who either did not return home or returned badly scarred by their war service overseas. Some family names and even family lines no longer exist because the last representative died as a result of the war. This resulted in the loss of many present and future Ngati Porou leaders. On behalf of all New Zealanders I thank Ngati Porou for the sacrifices they have made for our country.  
The bill gives effect to the undertakings by the Crown in the deed. The reconciliation redress includes an agreed historical account the Crown acknowledgments and apology and the naming of New Zealand Defence Force scholarships in higher defence training awarded to people of Ngati Porou descent. The cultural redress package includes the vesting of sites of cultural and historical significance and a strategic partnership with the Department of Conservation over specific public conservation lands within the Ngati Porou area of interest. I am very pleased also that as Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage I can say that we are working together with Ngati Porou on the long-overdue Maori Battalion museum in Gisborne. In that respect I acknowledge that wonderful New Zealander—I would have to say after Parekura Horomia and I had better say Hekia Parata my favourite “Ngati Porouvian”—Nolan Raihania a young member of C Company who fought for his country in several theatres of war came back to New Zealand made his contribution and is now the esteemed chair of the runanga. There is also redress designed to facilitate good working relationships between Ngati Porou and the Crown and that includes protocols with Government departments a letter of commitment with Archives New Zealand the National Library and Te Papa Tongarewa to facilitate the care and management of Ngati Porou taonga and a commitment by the Crown and Ngati Porou to develop a relationship accord to work together to address contemporary issues within the rohe.  
Then there is the financial settlement of $110 million comprising $90 million in financial and commercial redress and $20 million in cultural and historical redress and redress over Crown properties including licensed forest land. Mr Shane Jones said it so well—and I have said it at other times during the day—redress can never fully compensate for what has been lost but having acknowledged that the settlement given effect by this bill will provide Ngati Porou with a platform for future growth.  
There are so many people who have contributed to this settlement over the years. I acknowledge the contributions by my predecessor Dr Michael Cullen to the early stages of the negotiations. I of course acknowledge Mr Horomia who as I have said in other debates is always so helpful to have a quiet chat to about issues. I also acknowledge my ministerial colleagues in particular the Minister of Maori Affairs the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for Land Information.  
I want to acknowledge the valuable support and contribution made by the work of many Government officials and departments who contributed to this settlement. I particularly want to place on record the wonderful work by Paul Swain who was my Crown negotiator. He did such a wonderful job that he has been press-ganged into other negotiations. Most important I want to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of Ngati Porou particularly those from Te Haeata who negotiated this settlement. I particularly mention my other favourite “Ngati Porouvian” Dr Apirana Mahuika. In fact I should have mentioned him earlier and I apologise. He is a great New Zealander. I have known him for over 20 years and I always enjoy working with him. The dedication and determination of the negotiators has been absolutely vital in the path towards achieving settlement.  
So I wish Ngati Porou all the very best. I acknowledge of course when I look at today’s Order Paper and see item 53 Nga Rohe Moana o Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Bill that we have some unfinished business. I think my first task after becoming Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations was to have to tell Dr Mahuika and the team that this bill would have to be put on hold while we looked at the foreshore and seabed legislation but members of the iwi will be pleased to know that we have had a number of meetings. The new legislation has been passed and it is my sincere hope and indeed expectation that this legislation will be progressed in the very very near future.  
So congratulations once again. Thank you to those who have made such a significant contribution. I look forward to seeing Ngati Porou continue to grow and develop and make those wonderful contributions to the country in the years to come.