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New Zealand Executive Government Speech Archive
SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 1996
ADDRESS BY RT HON J B BOLGER PRIME MINISTER
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER
Ngai Tahu, Tena koutou!
Greetings to you all. I acknowledge those who have gone before and who are not able to be here today.
Sadly since the claim was taken before the Waitangi Tribunal in 1986 a number of significant Ngai Tahu have passed away.
Most recent was Bob Whaitiri, Upoko (Head) of te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.
I pay my respects to him and others who have been part of the process to resolve the Ngai Tahu grievance that we mark today.
I would like to acknowledge the Ngai Tahu people who are present here [many of whom have travelled from all over the South Island.]
This is a significant day in your history and in the story of the Treaty of Waitangi and of the relationship of the peoples of New Zealand.
It is fitting you are here with us on this day.
Ministers of the Crown, ladies and gentlemen, this Heads of Agreement between the Crown and Ngai Tahu represents our commitment to the settlement of a 150 year old grievance.
The Ngai Tahu claim has nine tall trees, specifically the eight major land transactions through which the Crown purchased most of the South Island, and the loss of mahinga kai or sources of food and other natural resources.
However Ngai Tahus key grievance was the breach of contract caused by the Crowns failure to honour agreements which were part of the sales.
In particular there was the failure to set aside adequate reserves, land and food resources to enable Ngai Tahu to engage properly in the newly developing pastoral and commercial economy.
Since 1991 protracted, complex, and at times very difficult negotiations have taken place between Ngai Tahu and the Crown as we sought to reach a settlement of the claims.
The length of time that it has taken us to reach this point gives the Heads of Agreement a strong foundation.
The agreement has not been entered into lightly, nor has been entered into quickly.
The Ngai Tahu claim is extensive and complex, not least because it embraces a range of interlocking natural resource, cultural and natural heritage issues.
The present set of negotiations began in early 1995 when Sir Tipene ORegan and I had a discussion on how progress could be achieved.
After extensive informal discussions Cabinet agreed to direct negotiations via the new Office of Treaty Settlements.
Many people have spent countless hours to get settlement and resolution of past acts through the negotiation process.
Both teams of negotiators are to congratulated for their assiduous efforts.
I pay particular tribute to Sir Tipene ORegan for his eloquent and forceful advocacy for Ngai Tahus interests.
Likewise to Riki Tau in whose name the claim was first lodged. His personal commitment and drive has remained undimmed throughout.
I pay my respects also to other key members of the Ngai Tahu team, Charlie Crofts, Sid Ashton and the many advisors, researchers and assistants.
I warmly thank the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, my colleague the Honourable Doug Graham, for his oversight and determination to reach a settlement in these negotiations.
I also acknowledge the essential contribution of the Honourable Doug Kidd, former Minister of Maori Affairs, who sponsored the private legislation giving Ngai Tahu a legal structure and entity.
My thanks also to the Crown officials who have worked so hard to bring this to fruition.
This Heads of Agreement and the eventual settlement which will be based on it, are the building blocks of Ngai Tahus future.
It records the terms of a proposed settlement between the Crown and Ngai Tahu and a commitment by both parties to negotiate and agree on a Deed of Settlement.
The Heads will be the stepping stone to a full and final settlement of all of Ngai Tahus historical claims which cover the bulk of the South Island.
It will be the responsibility of the Government elected next Saturday to work with Ngai Tahu towards a signed and ratified Deed of Settlement as proposed in the Heads of Agreement and to introduce legislation to give effect to the Deed of Settlement.
The settlement leading from this Heads of Agreement will contain a formal apology from the Crown to Ngai Tahu for the Crowns breaches of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Ngai Tahu will receive Crown lands and cash to the combined value of $170 million.
Some of these lands are commercial assets. Others are important to Ngai Tahu culturally, historically and spiritually.
It was of profound importance to the Government through these negotiations that where those lands had conservation or recreational values to other New Zealanders, that those values were protected through management arrangements and covenants.
The search for resolution of the grievances for dispossession has had to be set alongside the strong feelings of all New Zealanders for the right of access to public wilderness and recreation sites in the South Island.
Protection of recreational and public access interests is a key part of the agreement.
This signing today follows that of the Deed of Settlement with the Whakatohea people of the Eastern Bay of Plenty earlier this week and that for the Waikato-Tainui people last year.
Like those, it provides certainty for Maori and non-Maori alike.
It will enable South Island land owners to freely trade their properties without let or hindrance.
It will remove risks associated with development on the one hand and encourage development on the other.
It provides an opportunity for Ngai Tahu to continue their move from dependency to independence.
To break the cycle of disadvantage.
When I came into office six years ago I made a pledge that we would try to resolve all the major Treaty claims by the year 2000.
It was my view that there was a need to put the time and commitment into making real progress.
It was time - past time for action.
It was time to move from grievance to development.
Our strategy was widely criticised - but signings like this one this morning with Ngai Tahu, with Whakatohea earlier in the week, like Tainui's last year, make it all worthwhile.
This morning its not bugger the pollsters, to hell with the worm, it's thanks to the optimists who had the courage to stay with us and so make settlements such as this possible.
With these settlements we have shown that an open cheque book is not needed - what's needed is an open heart.
For people of goodwill to listen to each others concerns and then to show sufficient generosity to each other to find a durable solution.
We have done that.
The settlement set out in this Agreement provides redress for Ngai Tahu and gives them the resources needed to enable them to play a full part in modern New Zealand.
This is the sapling from which the new tall tree of Ngai Tahu will grow and prosper.
It signals another move away from the grievances of the past to a focus on a better and brighter future for Maori and pakeha alike.
It is another building block in our development as a nation.
A future built on a strong economic and social base that will improve the choices and opportunities for Ngai Tahu as it will for all New Zealanders.
We wish you well.
Ends
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