Press Release:

Raukawa welcome the final reading of the Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill

Embargoed: 3pm Thursday October 21

Raukawa Settlement Trust chairman Chris McKenzie today welcomed progress with the Crown in resolving Raukawa claims over the Waikato River.

Mr McKenzie joined members from other Waikato River iwi in Wellington to support the final reading of the Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill 2010 in Parliament.

Mr McKenzie said the law provided substance to the tenets of partnership enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi.

“This legislation provides real momentum for iwi to participate in a partnership focused on the restoration and protection of the health and well-being of the Waikato River," he said.

Mr McKenzie said Raukawa were impatient to engage in processes and policies that would reverse the pollution of the river’s waters - waters that had nurtured Raukawa people for many hundreds of years.

“For too many years, Raukawa and other river iwi were left as voiceless spectators to the devastation of our cherished taonga, the river - provider of food, transportation, spiritual cleansing. Its waters anointed our newborn, and farewelled our departed. It was a sacred provider to be nurtured and protected for future generations.”

Mr McKenzie also welcomed the opportunity to respond to a speech by former Act MP David Garrett, the sole political voice to oppose the legislation in Parliament at the first reading in July.

“It is disappointing Mr Garrett’s two-year political career did not extend a few more months longer for him to have remained in Parliament to see this legislation enacted. Perhaps now as a private citizen he will be able to take on board the value in partnership and working together to protect a resource important to all in our country.

“Mr Garrett labelled this process as one driven by the dollar and ‘pathetic, misguided attempts at settlement’. He went on to say that he did not see settlements ever ending.

“Can I respond by saying that Raukawa congratulate the Government for having the fortitude to bring closure to the very real grievance of river iwi around the Waikato River.” Raukawa were also in the final stages of settling their comprehensive land claims, Mr McKenzie said.

“I can assure Mr Garrett and his former ACT colleagues that if the Crown can maintain its commitment, and nerve, we are confident we will very soon be able to shut the door on grievance and focus our energies on assisting to meet the cultural, social and economic needs of our people - more than 20,000 tribal members - and in assisting where we can to lift the communities we share.

“Today is a day of progress for our people and this nation, and we look forward to providing our assistance to ensuring the protection and restoration of the Waikato River.”

END

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