SPIRITS were high as people of Maniapoto boarded the train for Wellington yesterday morning to witness the third reading of the settlement claim at Parliament today. For more photos, check the King Country App.
By Heather Carston
YESTERDAY marked the beginning of a momentous occasion for Maniapoto, as more than 650 people got underway for the iwi’s trip to Parliament to witness today’s third reading of the settlement claim. A KiwiRail-chartered passenger train for 180 people started its journey in Auckland, before stopping yesterday morning in Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti to pick up those locals selected by Te Nehehenui Trust using a long-ago promise made to Maniapoto by those who had put the railway through the iwi’s lands. BY TRAIN, BY BUS The trust organised buses for the remaining 450 people, who travelled to Pipitea Marae and Function Centre in Thorndon Quay which is hosting the event. Because of the size of the convoy, a pre-arranged number of people will travel to Parliament to witness the reading by the Select Committee, while others will remain at Pipitea marae to witness it via livestream on television. The reading had been scheduled for last Thursday, but was postponed until today because of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. CELEBRATION Whakatau was held at Pipitea marae at 6am this morning and buses were made available to take those who were attending the reading, to Parliament grounds. There is expected to be celebration and kai at Pipitea marae tonight. The Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill gives effect to matters in the Deed of Settlement signed in November 2021 between the Crown and Maniapoto. Bella Takiari-Brame, chair of the post-settlement governance entity Te Nehenehenui, said it was an honour travel to Parliament for this moment. “Our whānau have been involved in this settlement process for more than 30 years. This will be a significant occasion for current generations to witness, the next phase of our journey for our people. ‘REMEMBERING TUPUNA’ “But we wouldn’t be here without the efforts and commitment of those who walked before us, including our tūpuna, some who are no longer here with us. We must acknowledge their courage and sacrifice. The Deed of Settlement includes financial redress of around $177 million, relationship agreements with various Crown agencies, the transfer of 36 sites back to Maniapoto as cultural redress, first right to purchase Crown lands in the future and recognition by the Crown of Maniapoto’s story and Treaty breaches, and a formal apology for those breaches. “Previous Covid restrictions have prevented our people from celebrating this milestone, but Te Nehenehenui are committed to ensuring a ceremony will be held within the rohe to mark the Deed of Settlement signing and its introduction to law,” Bella said. NEW RELATIONSHIP “Settlement can be a divisive process. This will not heal the mamae or compensate for the loss we have suffered over generations. But it does mark the start of a new relationship – a partnership – with the Crown,” she said. The next steps are for the settlement to be enacted through Parliament and given Royal Assent. Te Nehenehenui, as the approved Post-Settlement Governance Entity, will receive the settlement redress. “The hard work won’t slow down any time soon, especially after it becomes law. We are focused on setting a clear direction and continuing forward for the benefit of our whānau, our mokopuna and for the future.”
