Speech by Te Runanga o Ngati Apa Chairman, Adrian Rurawhe
12 July 2007
For the Signing of the Agreement in Principle between the Crown and Ngati Apa
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Left to right: Adrian Rurawhe, Hon. Parekura Horomia, Mike Paki (in background) and Hon. Mita Ririnui
Photo by: Paul Reynolds
I want to start by acknowledging everyone that has gathered here to celebrate this special day. To the Minister of Treaty Negotiations, the Hon. Mark Burton, to your parliamentary colleagues, and all of the officials from the Office of Treaty Settlements, Department of Conservation, Ministry of Justice, Land Information New Zealand, Ministry of Fisheries, Crown Law Office and Te Puni Kokiri. Welcome to Tini Waitara Marae. Today you get to meet the aunties, uncles, cousins and whanau that we have often spoken of during our negotiations. They have been our strength and support throughout this process. And no doubt will continue to be so.
I also acknowledge the presence of our whanaunga from Whanganui, Ngati Hauiti and Nga Rauru, thank you for being here with us to celebrate this day. To the Crown Forestry Rental Trust a very big thank you. Your assistance with the claims process has been invaluable. And to you Sam and the Team at our local TPK office, thanks also for your assistance when we’ve really needed it. Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa.
At the signing of our Terms of Negotiations with the Crown almost two years ago, I spoke of a journey that had started right here on this Marae in 1899. The Premier of that time, Richard Seddon had visited and listened to the plea of our tipuna. Their concerns had arisen from the Turakina – Rangitikei transaction that had taken place 50 years earlier in 1849. That transaction promised so much but in the end, only served to alienate our land from us.
They informed Seddon of their serious concerns about the erosion of their access to mahinga kai and their dwindling tribal estate. They recommended the Crown pass a Act of Parliament to protect their lands. Historical research does not reveal how the Premier responded. Except of course that we all know that the Reserves for the Ngati Apa Act never eventuated.
I mention this again here today because it demonstrates that as an Iwi we have consistently attempted to address our grievances in a practical and reasonable way. Without a doubt every Iwi that agrees to settle their historical claims through this process, performs an act of generosity toward this nation. All of our hapü are fully aware of the difference between compensation and redress. What this Agreement in Principle provides is the best possible redress package available to Ngati Apa within the Crown’s claims settlement process.
We are pleased to have agreed to an historical account that outlines the historical relationship between the Crown and Ngati Apa. We are also pleased with the Crown’s acknowledgements of breaches to the Treaty. The historical account shows that the Crown’s policy was to acquire land as cheaply as possible. Our people were assured that they would reap substantial economic advantages from the growth of European settlement around them. For Ngäti Apa, the transactions that transpired resulted in poverty, not partnership. With little land, Ngäti Apa could not participate in the region’s growing farming economy. This redress package takes us some way to addressing our ability to be active participants in the local economy.
We are particularly pleased with our cultural revitalisation package. The opportunity to re-establish papakainga is of significant importance to us and will be complimented by the development and implementation of our cultural redevelopment plan.
The AIP includes the acknowledgement of our mana whenua through the return to our guardianship and ownership of key cultural and historical sites, including – Motu Karaka, Waitapu, Lake Koitiata, Pakiki, Waimahora, Pakapakatea, Pukepuke, Otakapou and Kiwitea.
The gifting back of one or two of these sites may be the cause of concern for some parts of our community. I want to give an assurance to the community that we will work co-operatively with those parts of the community toward resolving their concerns. And in doing so we also expect that our Tikanga will be respected.
The financial aspects of the redress package have been accepted by the Runanga and all of our hapü, and should be considered within the context of the opportunities it will provide. One of those opportunities is to begin restoring our tribal estate. The next phase of this process is a Deed of Settlement. We will very soon, turn our attention to such things, as the Licensed Crown Forest Lands. This will not be an easy task, and certainly not a foregone conclusion, that we will be totally successful. However, I want to remind the Crown that Ngati Apa is virtually landless, so it is of critical importance, that we achieve the purchase of all those lands available to us through this process.
I want to acknowledge the opportunity to purchase other lands through a right of deferred selection. This includes the land under Wanganui Prison, Marton Police Station, Marton Court House and half of the Wanganui Forest. In addition Ngäti Apa will have a Right Of First Refusal over two schools, the Bulls Police Station and the RNZAF Base Ohakea.
I will finish with these words. The whare karakia just across the road from here is called Te Mangungu. It’s name is derived from the whakatauki, Puputia te kakaho kia mangungu e kore e whati.” (Bind the rods together for greater solidarity and they will never break) Our hapü have been unified throughout this process, and I am certain that this kotahitanga will continue. And once the next phase is complete and we have moved to a Deed of Settlement we can put the grievances of the past behind us and all look positively forward.
END