Tuhoe bills pass third reading

The House sat under extended hours this morning to pass the third readings of the Tuhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill, which together settle the historical grievances of Ngai Tuhoe and establish legal identity and new governance arrangements for Te Urewera.

'Today opens a new chapter for Tuhoe and for the Crown,” says Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson.

'These bills settle the historical claims of Tuhoe, 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 Tuhoe Claims Settlement Bill sets out Crown acknowledgements of this history for all New Zealanders to learn about and learn from.

'It enshrines in legislation an apology for the Crown's grievous actions.

'It also provides financial and cultural redress that will allow Tuhoe 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 Tuhoe.”

The Te Urewera Bill is a central component of the settlement with Tuhoe.

It will preserve the natural and cultural values of Te Urewera, strengthen the connection between Tuhoe and Te Urewera and provide for public access and recreation.

This bill recognises that Te Urewera is treasured by Tuhoe 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,” says Christopher.

The legislation was introduced an omnibus bill, the Te Urewera–Tuhoe 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.

Source: Office of Christopher Finlayson.

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1 comment

Overit

Posted on 24-07-2014 12:36 | By overit

I don't know what electorate Chris Finlayson stands in, but cant the other parties put in a better man to unseat him.


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