Tūhoe claims settlement and Te Urewera bills passed
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
The House sat under extended hours this morning to pass the third readings of the Tūhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill.Date: 24 July 2014 Source: Office of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
The House sat under extended hours this morning to pass the third readings of the Tūhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill, which together settle the historical grievances of Ngāi Tūhoe and establish legal identity and new governance arrangements for Te Urewera.
"Today opens a new chapter for Tūhoe and for the Crown," Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said. "These bills settle the historical claims of Tūhoe, who suffered some of the worst breaches by the Crown in the country's history, involving large scale confiscation, brutal military campaigns targeting Tuhoe settlements, and unjust land purchases."
"The Tūhoe Claims Settlement Bill sets out Crown acknowledgements of this history for all New Zealanders to learn about and learn from," Mr Finlayson said. "It enshrines in legislation an apology for the Crown's grievous actions."
"It also provides financial and cultural redress that will allow Tūhoe to build up their traditional homeland, develop opportunities for their people, and through the Mana Motuhake redress take a leadership role in delivering social services in their rohe. It is a new beginning for the relationship and for Tūhoe."
The Te Urewera Bill is a central component of the settlement with Tūhoe. It will preserve the natural and cultural values of Te Urewera, strengthen the connection between Tūhoe and Te Urewera and provide for public access and recreation. This bill recognises that Te Urewera is treasured by Tūhoe people as their homeland and by the nation as a whole.
A new Te Urewera Board will be established to govern Te Urewera, develop and approve a ten-year management plan and to undertake landowner functions such as deciding on concessions and permissions to undertake certain activities in Te Urewera.
"I am grateful for the generosity of Tūhoe in reaching and accepting this settlement," Mr Finlayson said.
The legislation was introduced an omnibus bill, the Te Urewera–Tūhoe Bill, but was split to allow the arrangements for Te Urewera to be set out in stand-alone legislation. The Te Urewera Bill is expected to take legal effect in late September.
Related link
- Board appointed for new era for Te Urewera - media release 24 July 2014