News
This story was submitted by Maxine Rennie. Tena Koe.
On Sunday 22 June 2008, approximately 120 iwi affiliate members and supporters traveled by bus to Wellington to witness the historical entry of our claim into Parliament.
Every one of the eleven affiliate hapu were represented on the day.
Georgina Te Heuheu was the first speaker, followed by the Hon. Dr Michael Cullen. After Dr Cullen, Tau Henare, Pita Paraone, Mita Ririnui, Parekura Horomia, Shane Jones and some pakeha MPs also spoke.
They all spoke highly of the calibre and leadership of Rawiri Te Whare, our chief negotiator and the significant Te Pumautanga Trust (TPT) contribution to reach a final settlement, whilst at the same time, working diligently to assist and ensure that mutual issues affecting the Central North Island (CNI) Collective were properly considered.
TPT were congratulated and praised for their willingness to step back from our own claims, to support and progress the CNI Forest Iwi Collective Settlement. This was an amazing achievement which was well recognised by the MPs that spoke.
After all the MPs had made their support speeches, we sang Te Arawa E and it was extremely moving. It filled the Pariliamentary Chambers with such wairua and feeling. Many of us shed a tear for those who started the journey those many years ago and are no longer with us to share the joy of the day. We sang for them, we sang for us, for our tamariki, our mokopuna, our whanau.
When we left Parliament, Parekura Horomia, Shane Jones and Mita Ririnui waited at the foot of the stairway to hongi each and everyone of us as we left the premises.
Later that evening, Mahara Okeroa and Mita Ririnui joined us at our lodgings to celebrate with us. Our Mayor, Kevin Winters and Mauriora showed up. Paul East joined us a little later as well.
The next morning, our Executive Committee prepared to go back to Parliament for the reading of the CNI Collective Settlement, whilst we prepared to go return home.
The news was the Desert road was closed with snow and we all thought we would have to take the long trip home � but the Gods were kind to us and we were able go straight through.
The outcome of the CNI Settlement reading was as favourable as the TPT settlement, so overall, this was a very happy and extremely historical two days in the lives of our people.
On Sunday 22 June 2008, approximately 120 iwi affiliate members and supporters traveled by bus to Wellington to witness the historical entry of our claim into Parliament.
Every one of the eleven affiliate hapu were represented on the day.
Georgina Te Heuheu was the first speaker, followed by the Hon. Dr Michael Cullen. After Dr Cullen, Tau Henare, Pita Paraone, Mita Ririnui, Parekura Horomia, Shane Jones and some pakeha MPs also spoke.
They all spoke highly of the calibre and leadership of Rawiri Te Whare, our chief negotiator and the significant Te Pumautanga Trust (TPT) contribution to reach a final settlement, whilst at the same time, working diligently to assist and ensure that mutual issues affecting the Central North Island (CNI) Collective were properly considered.
TPT were congratulated and praised for their willingness to step back from our own claims, to support and progress the CNI Forest Iwi Collective Settlement. This was an amazing achievement which was well recognised by the MPs that spoke.
After all the MPs had made their support speeches, we sang Te Arawa E and it was extremely moving. It filled the Pariliamentary Chambers with such wairua and feeling. Many of us shed a tear for those who started the journey those many years ago and are no longer with us to share the joy of the day. We sang for them, we sang for us, for our tamariki, our mokopuna, our whanau.
When we left Parliament, Parekura Horomia, Shane Jones and Mita Ririnui waited at the foot of the stairway to hongi each and everyone of us as we left the premises.
Later that evening, Mahara Okeroa and Mita Ririnui joined us at our lodgings to celebrate with us. Our Mayor, Kevin Winters and Mauriora showed up. Paul East joined us a little later as well.
The next morning, our Executive Committee prepared to go back to Parliament for the reading of the CNI Collective Settlement, whilst we prepared to go return home.
The news was the Desert road was closed with snow and we all thought we would have to take the long trip home � but the Gods were kind to us and we were able go straight through.
The outcome of the CNI Settlement reading was as favourable as the TPT settlement, so overall, this was a very happy and extremely historical two days in the lives of our people.
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