News
30 September, 2008
Address at the historic Ngati Pahauwera Agreement in Principle signing
Speech notes prepared ahead of address at historic signing ceremony with Ngati Pahauwera, Parliament Buildings.
Thank you for your attendance at this momentous occasion
I would particularly like to acknowledge the people of Ngati Pahauwera who have travelled from the Hawke's Bay and across the country to take part in signing this Agreement in Principle.
This Agreement in Principle is a major achievement for the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera, and reflects the efforts of Ngati Pahauwera spanning many decades.
This is a unique Agreement in Principle in that it is the first of its kind to provide for both historical Treaty claims and foreshore and seabed recognition. It is one of many innovative steps that the Crown is taking to provide for Maori, as Treaty partners and citizens of New Zealand.
The Agreement in Principle has been reached after five and a half months of negotiations, and is a demonstration of the commitment by the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera to build and enhance their relationship.
I'd like to begin by taking us back to the Terms of Negotiation, some five and a half months ago. You will recall that when we signed the Terms, we agreed that there were three priority areas for discussion - the Mohaka Forest, Rawhiti Station, and the Mohaka, Waihua and Waikari Rivers.
Once negotiations began, I quickly became aware that there was a fourth priority area - the Te Heru o Turiea/Limestane Ridge sites.
In these last few months we have been negotiating, we have made outstanding progress towards agreeing an offer. There have been some hard issues, but we have always managed to work through them.
I am now pleased to be able to present to you a settlement package that I believe meets the interests of all parties.
Settlement package
The Agreement in Principle is a non-binding document that outlines the Crown's proposed redress package to Ngati Pahauwera that will be used as a basis for a Deed of Settlement.
The Crown acknowledges that this settlement can never fully compensate for the loss and prejudice Ngati Pahauwera suffered. However, due to the pragmatic and dedicated approach taken by the Ngati Pahauwera negotiators, we have agreed a package that includes:
* An historical account, Crown Acknowledgements and Apology;
* River redress including the development of a co-management regime over the Mohaka, Waikari and Waihua Rivers;
* Transfer and gift back over Te Heru o Tureia and Limestone Ridge, recognising the significance of this area for Ngati Pahauwera;
* The development of a co-management regime over the remaining conservation land within the Ngati Pahauwera area of interest, also including Te Heru o Tureia and Limestone Ridge Conservation Areas;
* Vesting of 10 further conservation sites in Ngati Pahauwera;
* A quantum amount of $20 million;
* The gifting of 5 commercial properties, including Rawhiti Station;
* The opportunity for Ngati Pahauwera to purchase the Mohaka Crown Forest, which will also enable them to receive the accumulated rentals over the land purchased; and
* A commitment to further discuss recognising longstanding Ngati Pahauwera customary interests in the foreshore and seabed by protecting certain customary activities, wahi tapu and exploring the possibility of Territorial Customary Rights areas.
Acknowledgements
I think it is important to recognise the efforts of the active section 30 representatives: Toro Waaka, Kuki Green and Tom Gemmell. This group has been carrying the burden and privilege of representing Ngati Pahauwera for a long time now. They will continue to represent Ngati Pahauwera by acting as trustees for the new governance entity that was established in September.
These three members along with the four new trustees will represent Ngati Pahauwera in its negotiations with the Crown to Deed of Settlement.
Next Steps
The next step for Ngati Pahauwera and the Crown is to take the outline of the redress package in the Agreement in Principle and expand it. Details need to be agreed before a draft Deed of Settlement can be agreed.
A lot of work remains to be done, but I am confident that we will reach a Deed of Settlement in 2009.
I thank you again for your attendance in such large numbers. I am honoured to sign this Agreement in Principle with my fellow colleagues and members of Ngati Pahauwera.
Space has been provided in the Agreement in Principle for any member of Ngati Pahauwera who wishes to do so to add their signature, so please do so at your leisure.
The future ahead looks bright.
This settlement will set up a new co-management regime, a regime of Ngati Pahauwera and the Crown and other agencies working alongside each other.
I look forward to continuing to work with you as we make this journey together.
Michael Cullen
Attorney-General
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/address historic ngati pahauwera agreement principl... - Cached
Address at the historic Ngati Pahauwera Agreement in Principle signing
Speech notes prepared ahead of address at historic signing ceremony with Ngati Pahauwera, Parliament Buildings.
Thank you for your attendance at this momentous occasion
I would particularly like to acknowledge the people of Ngati Pahauwera who have travelled from the Hawke's Bay and across the country to take part in signing this Agreement in Principle.
This Agreement in Principle is a major achievement for the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera, and reflects the efforts of Ngati Pahauwera spanning many decades.
This is a unique Agreement in Principle in that it is the first of its kind to provide for both historical Treaty claims and foreshore and seabed recognition. It is one of many innovative steps that the Crown is taking to provide for Maori, as Treaty partners and citizens of New Zealand.
The Agreement in Principle has been reached after five and a half months of negotiations, and is a demonstration of the commitment by the Crown and Ngati Pahauwera to build and enhance their relationship.
I'd like to begin by taking us back to the Terms of Negotiation, some five and a half months ago. You will recall that when we signed the Terms, we agreed that there were three priority areas for discussion - the Mohaka Forest, Rawhiti Station, and the Mohaka, Waihua and Waikari Rivers.
Once negotiations began, I quickly became aware that there was a fourth priority area - the Te Heru o Turiea/Limestane Ridge sites.
In these last few months we have been negotiating, we have made outstanding progress towards agreeing an offer. There have been some hard issues, but we have always managed to work through them.
I am now pleased to be able to present to you a settlement package that I believe meets the interests of all parties.
Settlement package
The Agreement in Principle is a non-binding document that outlines the Crown's proposed redress package to Ngati Pahauwera that will be used as a basis for a Deed of Settlement.
The Crown acknowledges that this settlement can never fully compensate for the loss and prejudice Ngati Pahauwera suffered. However, due to the pragmatic and dedicated approach taken by the Ngati Pahauwera negotiators, we have agreed a package that includes:
* An historical account, Crown Acknowledgements and Apology;
* River redress including the development of a co-management regime over the Mohaka, Waikari and Waihua Rivers;
* Transfer and gift back over Te Heru o Tureia and Limestone Ridge, recognising the significance of this area for Ngati Pahauwera;
* The development of a co-management regime over the remaining conservation land within the Ngati Pahauwera area of interest, also including Te Heru o Tureia and Limestone Ridge Conservation Areas;
* Vesting of 10 further conservation sites in Ngati Pahauwera;
* A quantum amount of $20 million;
* The gifting of 5 commercial properties, including Rawhiti Station;
* The opportunity for Ngati Pahauwera to purchase the Mohaka Crown Forest, which will also enable them to receive the accumulated rentals over the land purchased; and
* A commitment to further discuss recognising longstanding Ngati Pahauwera customary interests in the foreshore and seabed by protecting certain customary activities, wahi tapu and exploring the possibility of Territorial Customary Rights areas.
Acknowledgements
I think it is important to recognise the efforts of the active section 30 representatives: Toro Waaka, Kuki Green and Tom Gemmell. This group has been carrying the burden and privilege of representing Ngati Pahauwera for a long time now. They will continue to represent Ngati Pahauwera by acting as trustees for the new governance entity that was established in September.
These three members along with the four new trustees will represent Ngati Pahauwera in its negotiations with the Crown to Deed of Settlement.
Next Steps
The next step for Ngati Pahauwera and the Crown is to take the outline of the redress package in the Agreement in Principle and expand it. Details need to be agreed before a draft Deed of Settlement can be agreed.
A lot of work remains to be done, but I am confident that we will reach a Deed of Settlement in 2009.
I thank you again for your attendance in such large numbers. I am honoured to sign this Agreement in Principle with my fellow colleagues and members of Ngati Pahauwera.
Space has been provided in the Agreement in Principle for any member of Ngati Pahauwera who wishes to do so to add their signature, so please do so at your leisure.
The future ahead looks bright.
This settlement will set up a new co-management regime, a regime of Ngati Pahauwera and the Crown and other agencies working alongside each other.
I look forward to continuing to work with you as we make this journey together.
Michael Cullen
Attorney-General
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/address historic ngati pahauwera agreement principl... - Cached
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