Horan Brendan: Ngati Whatua Orakei Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Horan Brendan: Ngati Whatua Orakei Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 14 November 2012. Volume:685;Page:6690. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
BRENDAN HORAN (NZ First) 
: 
 He mihi tenei ki a koutou i tenei ra nui mo Te Tiriti o Waitangi me to koutou iwi. Kei runga i a koutou e nga rangatira nga moemoea o nga tupuna me nga tumanako o te rangatahi kia kaha kia toa. 
[ 
This is a tribute to you collectively today in respect of the Treaty of Waitangi and particularly for your people. Upon you leaders are the ancestors’ dreams and the aspirations of the young generation be staunch be bold. 
] 
I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to support this third and final reading of the Ngati Whatua Orakei Claims Settlement Bill. But before I start I would like to acknowledge the member of the media who is sitting up there today. I would just like to thank him for being there because this is a momentous day and it is a momentous occasion. I know there are other media watching through closed circuit but the stories of this tribe are so real intense spiritual and brave that if we were in America there would be movie moguls lined up outside waiting to sign off movie rights. I hope that tonight the news is led by stories of this momentous occasion. 
New Zealand First acknowledges the arduous journey undertaken by Ngati Whatua o Orakei to reach this final stage of settlement. We acknowledge the mighty warriors of days gone by and the strength courage and determination runs true in the bloodlines of this tribe. We have seen it through the years. We saw it when families were forcibly evicted from their homes to see their homes razed to the ground. We saw it in 1977 when families stood arm in arm against injustice. I would say that we all here today represent the many people who cannot be here. Some have passed on. Some could not make it. But I feel very proud that the tangata whenua who gave us Auckland are finally being healed and acknowledged and we in New Zealand First are proud yet humbled to bear witness. 
We have heard of the angst caused recently by the sale of 3.2 hectares of land to Ngati Whatua o Orakei. In the Maori Affairs Committee we witnessed some impassioned and at times acrimonious scenes. My comprehension was not that of rednecks at Narrow Neck but I can understand the disbelief from Ngati Whatua o Orakei. After having 31565 hectares lost who in their right mind could possibly argue against 3.2 hectares being returned or I should say being bought back? But what I also saw was New Zealanders in Devonport connected to their land. They underwent an experience common to every Maori in this land and that is having a connection to the land having it promised to you by the Government—be it Crown local or national—and then having it cruelly taken away by the stroke of a pen which brings to bear the old adage that there is no escaping the divisive and essential question: what is the purpose of the State and whom does it serve? 
I saw a community who was outraged who loved their land and who stood up to be counted when it mattered. Thankfully through korero and understanding much of that angst has now dissipated for there is a greater synergy borne through that experience that now entwines and binds the people of Devonport and Ngati Whatua o Orakei and indeed the greater Auckland area. I would say to the people of New Zealand: take heed from this example because we all love our land our rivers our lakes and our maunga. Our rivers and lakes nurture the blood and bones of our ancestors and contain our wairua the spirit of New Zealand. So let the experience of Ngati Whatua o Orakei rumble from the mountains through our lakes rivers oceans and cities. A total of 31565 hectares lost; 3.2 hectares returned. Remember this percentage next time we hear of that Government offering our land our water our wairua for sale to overseas buyers. Once taken what is the chance of its return? What responsible guardian would ever sell that which is most dear to us that which lies in our water and our lands—our wairua? 
There are many people who deserve mention throughout this long process from the rangatira who signed the Treaty in 1840 to people like Ruby Gray Cyril Talbot Sir Hugh Kawharu Mike Rameka and Ari Pihera all past board members now departed who worked tirelessly not just for Ngati Whatua o Orakei but for all Maoridom. They are sadly missed but greatly appreciated and New Zealand First would acknowledge leaders like the Hawke family Tiwana Tibble Puawai Rameka and others who have stayed true to the cause in the guidance of this waka. There are so many who have given their hearts to this journey that I think the best we can say is thank you thank you thank you to everyone who smiles when they think of today and the restoration and reclamation of mana for Ngati Whatua o Orakei. And this reclamation is evidenced in the eyes of the children. No mua ka kite a muri. The things behind us enable us to see the way forward. 
For some years now Ngati Whatua o Orakei have displayed upward mobility in leadership business and family and we all wish them well in all spheres leading into the future. To that end I will finish with a Tainui proverb as there is again a synergy with Tainui and Ngati Whatua. This proverb goes to the children of Ngati Whatua o Orakei. Kia hora te marino kia whakapapa pounamu te moana kia tere te karohirohi i mua i tou huarahi. May the calm be widespread may the ocean glisten like greenstone and may the shimmer of many summers dance across your pathway. Kia kaha kia toa.