Bill provides for acknowledgment of historical breaches, pardons, redress
Paul Goldsmith, Treaty of Waitangi negotiations minister, has announced that the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill has passed its third and final reading in Parliament, marking the conclusion of nine years of negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Hāua.
“This is a significant day for the Crown and Ngāti Hāua,” Goldsmith said in the news release from the government.
According to the government, under the deed of settlement, the Crown acknowledged its historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, returned 64 culturally significant sites, and fixed financial redress at $19m.
Per Goldsmith, under the settlement legislation, the government has pardoned Te Rangiātea and Mātene Ruta Te Whareaitu, who were tried under martial law in 1846 and denied their rights at a civilian trial.
Goldsmith explained that the statutory pardons cancelled their convictions, acknowledged their mana, and recognised their legacy within Ngāti Hāua for the benefit of future generations.
“Recognising this history is vital to restoring our relationship going forward, and the redress provided by the Crown will contribute to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Ngāti Hāua for future generations,” he said in the government’s news release.
Goldsmith called it a privilege to witness Ngāti Hāua returning to the House. He expressed eagerness for a future that reflects the fortified relationship.
According to information from New Zealand’s Parliament, bill no. 139-3:
The deed of settlement finally settled all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Hāua arising from the Crown’s acts or omissions before 21 September 1992.
The settlement deed covered an agreed historical account, an apology, and cultural and commercial redress. The Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust, as the mandated entity, negotiated the redress.
According to the settlement deed, members of Ngāti Hāua, regardless of where they live, can access the settlement’s benefits.
While the deed settles all Ngāti Hāua historical claims over the Tongariro National Park and Whanganui National Park, the parties will separately negotiate cultural redress relating to these two national parks as collective redress for Ngāti Hāua and other iwi with interests.
With around 2,500 members, Ngāti Hāua is an iwi based in the Central North Island, centred in Taumarunui.
The areas of interest of Ngāti Hāua extend north and west from Mount Ruapehu, covering the upper reaches of the Whanganui River.
