Contemporary Wai 692 claim signed

October 3, 2008

Contemporary Wai 692 claim signed

Ten years of negotiation culminated today (Friday, October 3) with the signing of the Deed of Settlement for the contemporary aspects of the Wai 692 claim, between the Claimants, the Crown and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.

DHB chief executive Chris Clarke said the signing of the Deed came with a sense of occasion that had been a long time coming.

Part of the settlement was a Memorandum of Commitment between the DHB and the claimants to work together to improve Maori health services in Ahuriri. The contracts would focus on traditional Maori healing and health and social services, he said.

There will also be regular meetings between the claimants and DHB, and although the contracts were for a fixed term, the relationship between the DHB and the claimants we see as enduring, Mr Clarke said.

Mr Clarke said he had been involved 10 years ago to act on behalf of the Crown when the claim was first lodged in 1998.

“To be here today shows the perseverance of the Claimants, Crown Law and DHB staff - it makes it very significant to have finally got here.”

Particular mention must be made of the late Hana Cotter who was a pillar in the Napier community and one of the original claimants to the Wai 692 claim, he said

“The settlement for the contemporary aspects of Wai 692 under the deed of settlement came about largely through her and her co-claimants dedication and vision. She was a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of the people of Ahuriri, particularly the Maori community she lived amongst in Marewa, Maraenui and Onekawa South. In her work on Wai 692 she was widely supported by the community and, particularly, by her whanau and co-claimants."

ENDS

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