Henare Tau: Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
Henare Tau: Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:662;Page:10834] 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 Maku ano e hanga toku nei Whare. Ko nga pou o roto he mahoe he patete. Ko te tahuhu he hinau. He whakatupu ki te hua o te rengarenga me whakapakari ki te hua o te kawariki. 
[ 
I shall fashion my own house. The pillars inside will be of mahoe and patete and the ridgepole of hinau. Those who inhabit the house will be raised on rengarenga and nurtured on kawariki 
.] 
It is fitting that I begin my korero today with the vision that King Tawhiao left for his people. It is a vision that constructs the foundation from which the tribe Waikato-Tainui continues to build its capacity. Maku ano e hanga toku nei Whare. That means “I shall build my house. That statement although simple to comprehend is only one part of Tawhiao’s bequest to his people. He not only challenged them to build their own whare but also said to do it from the lesser-known timbers of the forest. To comprehend his vision in its entirety one must have an understanding of the tribe’s raupatu. Inevitably they are all on roads that lead directly to the steps of this Parliament today. 
Firstly I want to digress to acknowledge the many people who have made the journey to be with us today. We have been able to accommodate some very fine-looking people here in the public gallery. They have come to witness and celebrate the third reading of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill with the people of Waikato. I sense that the numbers in the Grand Hall outnumber the people above us in the gallery. I acknowledge their presence here at Parliament today along with those who are watching through television and listening via our iwi radio networks. I also digress to acknowledge the Hon Michael Cullen who is here for his sterling effort in the previous Government the late Raiha Mahuta and my very own brother-in-law Tuku Morgan. 
It is said that Tawhiao held his kingship through the most turbulent era of Maori-Pakeha relations. He was appointed to the throne in 1863 on succession to his father Potatau te Wherowhero and 2 years into his reign legislation was passed that provided for military settlements to be established on confiscated land. I want to pause to point out that it is no coincidence that in building their own whare Waikato-Tainui have sited their tribal hub amidst the former military settlement that was confiscated from them under the 1865 legislation. Provoked by British advances to go to war Waikato were unjustly branded as rebels. Under the 1865 legislation they lost more than 1.2 million acres of their own land. This act of confiscation became known to Waikato-Tainui as raupatu. Rendered virtually landless the economic social and cultural impacts of that placed Waikato at their most vulnerable point in time. 
My job is not to reiterate a history lesson as we ascend to this third reading but to emphasise the vision of Tawhiao and in particular to put some context around his bequest to his people to build their own capacity. The challenge to develop that capacity was founded on their cultural vision and values. He wanted them to be strategic with innovation and have the propriety required in an evolving political environment. This brings me back to where we are today: witnessing the third reading. The bill of Waikato-Tainui in seeking recognition of the unique relationship they have with the Waikato River is testimony to Tawhiao’s vision. The bill’s acknowledgment of te mana o te awa and the recognition of Waikato-Tainui manawhakahaere is a first for this House this country and—dare I say it—the world. Simply put to Waikato-Tainui the river is a living ancestor. The concept of an ancestor river unfamiliar to Pakeha is central to Waikato belief. That river is a representation of the tribe’s spiritual authority and power and it harbours the life-force of its people. The river has its own mana and although some may grapple—and I am sure they do—with that concept to protect that mana is crucial to its future health and well-being. 
The tribe has provided an archive of historical responsibility exampling the statements from kaumatua and kuia further supporting the belief that the river has always been a source of sustenance healing comfort and hope. The relationship that Waikato-Tainui has with its river is unquestionable. I am pleased that the Crown our Government and the Opposition are formally recognising that unique and special relationship through this bill. I acknowledge those kaumatua and kuia who are here with us today. This is a celebration of their toil. I especially say to the rangatahi to celebrate this relationship always and recognise the role they will play as kaitiaki. 
E te Kingi Tuheitia me to whanau hoki [ 
Kingi Tuheitia and his family as well 
] I welcome him to share this forum with us and to take his seat in our House which was built by Parliament and the people of New Zealand. I look forward to the continued realisation of King Tawhiao’s vision for his people as we continue to build our House here and as King Tuheitia continues to build his house in Tainui. 
No reira e te Whare e te Kingi e Tainui Waka a tena koutou a tena koutou. Ka nui te aroha ka nui te mihi ki a koutou nga morehu o nga hau e wha; tena koutou tena koutou katoa. 
[ 
So to the House the King and Tainui Waka I acknowledge and greet you. There is much love and acknowledgment to you the survivors of the four winds; greetings salutations and acknowledgments to you all. 
]