Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) : I always enjoy the intelligent contributions of the previous speaker, Maryan Street. I greatly appreciated that contribution. It makes a refreshing change from the mindless negativism one often gets from that side of the House.
I was very pleased that Mrs Turia was able to take the first call on the Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill. I think she is a great New Zealander and a wonderful colleague, and I know how much this issue means to her. A few weeks ago she, Mrs te Heuheu, and I were in Taumarunui to farewell that great New Zealander Sir Archie Taiaroa. Sir Archie worked so long and hard on these issues for the Whanganui River. I promise Mrs Turia, and I certainly express the hope, that in the not too distant future we will be able to reach a Treaty settlement over that river. After all, Whanganui iwi have been fighting their cause for over 100 years.
But let us look at the Waikato River. Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa each have their own unique relationship with the river and their own established tikanga in relation to it. For Ngāti Tūwharetoa their relationship with the Waikato River is inextricably linked with the relationship between the river and Lake Taupō. For the northern hapū their relationship with the river is both significant and enduring. Raukawa, some of whose members I welcome here tonight, have many rich associations with the Waikato River. The river runs through the centre of their rohe, and many sites within and alongside the river are important to them. There are waka landing sites, food and material gathering sites, and blessing and sacred sites associated with the Waikato River. Te Arawa River Iwi can point to many kainga, cultivations, and burial caves along the banks of the Waikato River. The river provided many benefits to their people, and it was often used to transport produce that was traded with other iwi and with early settlers. For each of these iwi the river remains a source of spiritual, cultural, social, and physical sustenance, and, in turn, they embrace a deep sense of respect for the river, which shows itself in an intergenerational responsibility to care for that river.
The Crown has responsibilities on behalf of the regional community and the nation as a whole. The river and its catchment provide New Zealanders, obviously, with a source of energy, fertile lands for primary industry, and a place for recreational activities enjoyed by many people. There are important values and relationships between the river and many people and communities that must be respected.
Ultimately, we will all be judged as an enlightened nation, and our economy will prosper, by the way in which we manage and respect our environment, especially our waterways, and by the inclusive nature of our society and its institutional arrangements—and that is what Ms Street was referring to. It is of considerable moment, therefore, that we now stand at the dawn of a new era of co-governance in respect of the river that will secure the long-term sustainability and the health of the river for both present and future generations.
Under the new framework, existing relationships will be strengthened and new relationships will be forged, leading to greater understanding and a greater focus on shared aspirations for the river. We can all look confidently to a time when a healthy Waikato River sustains abundant life and prosperous communities, which in turn share in a common endeavour to restore and protect the Waikato River and all it embraces for generations to come.
A few weeks ago in Te Kūiti—and I know that Nanaia Mahuta was there, as well—I signed a deed with Maniapoto over the Waipā River. The Waipā is the main tributary of the Waikato River. This deed will ensure there is a full alignment of aspirations and endeavour focused holistically on the whole river system. So I too acknowledge and thank the Māori Affairs Committee for considering and reporting on this bill, and for doing so without delay, so we can get on with putting these remaining elements of the new framework in place.
The co-governance framework in this bill complements arrangements agreed on between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui and given effect through the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act, which was passed by this House earlier this year. It is important to achieve coordination in the implementation of the co-governance framework, and the timely consideration of this bill by the Māori Affairs Committee makes that coordination possible. I thank the committee and its outstanding chair, Mr Henare. In its commentary the committee noted the relationship between the bill and the 2010 Waikato Act--
Hon Tau Henare: I’ll give you your taonga later on.
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I thank the member so much. The committee noted that significant parts of the bill replicate parts of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010, and considered that it may be appropriate for the bill to include an acknowledgment of the relationship between the two pieces of legislation in order to promote their effective implementation with clarity and consistency. I think that is a very helpful suggestion, and we are all comfortable with it, as indeed are the iwi. At the Committee of the whole House stage I will present a Government Supplementary Order Paper for consideration to make the link between those two pieces of legislation.
I very much support the motion that this bill be read a second time. The bill is an important element in the new framework for the Waikato River, and it should proceed through the House without undue delay.
But let us look at the Waikato River. Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa each have their own unique relationship with the river and their own established tikanga in relation to it. For Ngāti Tūwharetoa their relationship with the Waikato River is inextricably linked with the relationship between the river and Lake Taupō. For the northern hapū their relationship with the river is both significant and enduring. Raukawa, some of whose members I welcome here tonight, have many rich associations with the Waikato River. The river runs through the centre of their rohe, and many sites within and alongside the river are important to them. There are waka landing sites, food and material gathering sites, and blessing and sacred sites associated with the Waikato River. Te Arawa River Iwi can point to many kainga, cultivations, and burial caves along the banks of the Waikato River. The river provided many benefits to their people, and it was often used to transport produce that was traded with other iwi and with early settlers. For each of these iwi the river remains a source of spiritual, cultural, social, and physical sustenance, and, in turn, they embrace a deep sense of respect for the river, which shows itself in an intergenerational responsibility to care for that river.
The Crown has responsibilities on behalf of the regional community and the nation as a whole. The river and its catchment provide New Zealanders, obviously, with a source of energy, fertile lands for primary industry, and a place for recreational activities enjoyed by many people. There are important values and relationships between the river and many people and communities that must be respected.
Ultimately, we will all be judged as an enlightened nation, and our economy will prosper, by the way in which we manage and respect our environment, especially our waterways, and by the inclusive nature of our society and its institutional arrangements—and that is what Ms Street was referring to. It is of considerable moment, therefore, that we now stand at the dawn of a new era of co-governance in respect of the river that will secure the long-term sustainability and the health of the river for both present and future generations.
Under the new framework, existing relationships will be strengthened and new relationships will be forged, leading to greater understanding and a greater focus on shared aspirations for the river. We can all look confidently to a time when a healthy Waikato River sustains abundant life and prosperous communities, which in turn share in a common endeavour to restore and protect the Waikato River and all it embraces for generations to come.
A few weeks ago in Te Kūiti—and I know that Nanaia Mahuta was there, as well—I signed a deed with Maniapoto over the Waipā River. The Waipā is the main tributary of the Waikato River. This deed will ensure there is a full alignment of aspirations and endeavour focused holistically on the whole river system. So I too acknowledge and thank the Māori Affairs Committee for considering and reporting on this bill, and for doing so without delay, so we can get on with putting these remaining elements of the new framework in place.
The co-governance framework in this bill complements arrangements agreed on between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui and given effect through the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act, which was passed by this House earlier this year. It is important to achieve coordination in the implementation of the co-governance framework, and the timely consideration of this bill by the Māori Affairs Committee makes that coordination possible. I thank the committee and its outstanding chair, Mr Henare. In its commentary the committee noted the relationship between the bill and the 2010 Waikato Act--
Hon Tau Henare: I’ll give you your taonga later on.
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I thank the member so much. The committee noted that significant parts of the bill replicate parts of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010, and considered that it may be appropriate for the bill to include an acknowledgment of the relationship between the two pieces of legislation in order to promote their effective implementation with clarity and consistency. I think that is a very helpful suggestion, and we are all comfortable with it, as indeed are the iwi. At the Committee of the whole House stage I will present a Government Supplementary Order Paper for consideration to make the link between those two pieces of legislation.
I very much support the motion that this bill be read a second time. The bill is an important element in the new framework for the Waikato River, and it should proceed through the House without undue delay.
