Ririnui Mita: Ngati Tuwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading 
Ririnui Mita: Ngati Tuwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:624;Page:19598] 
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Acting Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I move  
That the Ngati Tuwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Claims Settlement Bill be now read a second time 
. 
Ngati Tuwharetoa Bay of Plenty are based around Kawerau and Matata. Ngati Tuwharetoa are of the Te Arawa waka and are descended from the ancestor or tupuna Tuwharetoa who lived in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Ngati Tuwharetoa located in the Bay of Plenty are distinct from their whanaunga based in Taupo and although many of the descendants of Tuwharetoa migrated south and settled around Taupo others stayed in Kawerau and Matata and have their separate and distinct identity. Ngati Tuwharetoa in the Bay of Plenty are closely interlinked and have a shared history with their neighbours or whanaunga of Ngati Awa. 
The historical treaty claims of Ngati Tuwharetoa relate mainly to the confiscation of land in the Bay of Plenty in the 1860s and the damaging effect the confiscation had on their welfare economy and development. The claims also relate to the loss of control of and access to geothermal energy and the pollution of the Tarawera River. This settlement addresses the longstanding and significant grievances suffered by Ngati Tuwharetoa in the Bay of Plenty. Prior to the 1860s Ngati Tuwharetoa in the Bay of Plenty were prosperous and economically successful. However the loss of Ngati Tuwharetoa land and resources through confiscation and other means has hindered their development throughout the past 150 years. 
In this bill the Crown acknowledges that its actions had a prejudicial impact on Ngati Tuwharetoa and breached the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles. The Crown acknowledges the strong sense of grievance felt by Ngati Tuwharetoa at the loss of control of and access to the Kawerau geothermal system. The Crown profoundly regrets and unreservedly apologises for its unjust confiscation of Ngati Tuwharetoa lands in the Bay of Plenty and for the cumulative effect of its actions over the generations which have had a damaging effect on the welfare economy and development of Ngati Tuwharetoa. 
As well as a formal apology to Ngati Tuwharetoa and their ancestors and descendants for the breaches of the treaty acknowledged by the Crown this settlement provides for firstly financial redress of $10.5 million including the transfer of Crown-owned forest land in the Rotoehu West Forest; secondly geothermal redress which aims to recognise the importance of the geothermal resource as a taonga of Ngati Tuwharetoa; and thirdly a variety of types of cultural redress which aim to recognise and protect the interests of Ngati Tuwharetoa in sites that are particularly significant to them and to enhance their relationship with the Crown. 
This bill makes it clear that this is a comprehensive and final settlement of all the historical claims of Ngati Tuwharetoa in the Bay of Plenty. This bill is a hugely significant milestone for Ngati Tuwharetoa and the Crown. The bill addresses the longstanding and significant grievances suffered by Ngati Tuwharetoa. It will enable both parties to move forward and renew their relationship as treaty partners. 
I was a member of the Maori Affairs Committee that considered the bill. The committee has recommended that the bill be passed with the proposed amendments. I would like to thank the other members of the committee for their thorough and timely consideration of the bill. 
In conclusion the people of Ngati Tuwharetoa in the Bay of Plenty are reaching the end of a long journey. They registered their raupatu claim with the Waitangi Tribunal in 1988. It was in March 1998 that the previous Government recognised the mandate of the Ngati Tuwharetoa negotiators. A deed of settlement was finalised and signed in June 2003. It is important that we now finalise the settlement to enable Ngati Tuwharetoa to receive redress and begin the next phase of their history. 
 I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the Ngati Tuwharetoa negotiators the Ministers and the officials whose efforts have led us to this point today. Finally I wish to acknowledge those of Ngati Tuwharetoa who are no longer with us whose passion and devotion are greatly missed by their descendants as they begin their new journey. 
No reira kei te poroporoaki ki a ratau kua wheturangihia ahakoa kaore ratau e tae a-tinana mai kua tae a-wairua mai ki te whakatutuki i tenei kaupapa hirahira. Mihi ake ana ahau ki a Ngati Tuwharetoa ratau kua tae mai ki te kawe mai i tenei kaupapa. No reira tena koutou tena koutou. 
[ 
And so I pay a farewell tribute to those who have passed on and even though they are not present physically they are here in spirit for the completion of this important matter. I acknowledge Ngati Tuwharetoa and in particular those of you who came to bring this matter here. Greetings to you greetings. 
] 
I commend this bill to the House.