IT was an emotional day in Parliament last week as the Maniapoto Settlement Claims Bill passed its third reading. After the reading was complete those watching from the public gallery broke into waiata and haka. More than 700 travelled to Wellington to witness it. PHOTOS MANIAPOTO FM
LAST week 600 Maniapoto boarded buses and a train from Auckland to witness history in the making – the final reading of the Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill at Parliament. The reading marked the final stage of a long-fought battle by Maniapoto for acknowledgment, compensation and justice from the Crown. As crowds watched from both inside Parliament and Pipitea Marae in Wellington, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little commented on the gravity of the day. SIGNIFICANT DAY “This is a significant day for Maniapoto and for the Crown. “I’m honoured to move the Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill to be inacted into law and for Maniapoto to finally receive the benefits of a settlement that has been long, hard-fought for and which is long overdue.” The settlement package provides Maniapoto with financial and commercial redress of $165 million, returns 36 sites of cultural significance and provides for relationship instruments with key Crown agencies. It also includes an acknowledgment and apology by the Crown for its historical breaches of the Treaty towards Maniapoto. Those breaches were detailed in an historical account included in the settlement bill. ABUSE OF TRUST “In 1840 your tupuna signed the treaty at Kāwhia and at the heads of the Waikato River. Maniapoto rangatira put their trust in the Crown and the commitments that the Crown then made,” the Minister said. “But the Crown abused this trust and over the last 180 years the Crown repeatedly breached the solemn promises it made under Te Tiriti.” Andrew Little said it was to the Crown’s great shame that it treated Maniapoto with “such disdain and disrespect.” Thursday’s ceremony included the return of the taiaha Maungārongo, to Parliament – provided on loan by Maniapoto for five years as a gesture of commitment to a renewed relationship. NEW BEGINNINGS “Today marks a new beginning in realising the promises made to Maniapoto, and it is my sincere hope that this settlement and new partnership based on mutual trust, respect and co-operation will provide for the future wellbeing and prosperity of Maniapoto,” Andrew Little said. Maniapoto FM travelled on KiwiRail’s ‘Northern Explorer’, which was charted to transport iwi members to Wellington ahead of the reading at Parliament, bringing a moment in history to anyone who couldn’t be there in person. Radio host Winston Cotidis was onboard the train and said there was a sense of calm, ease, and excitement as whanau reconnected and reminisced on the journey. National Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger said last Thursday was a great day to be in Parliament for an emotional moment that was a long time in the making. ENTRUSTING OF TAONGA She noted the significance of Maniapoto entrusting Parliament with the taonga Maungārongo for five years. “Trust is a pretty big thing when you’re talking about Treaty settlements. “It’s pretty special.”
