October 26, 2012
Te Rarawa settlement cause for hope
The Chair of Te Rarawa says the high suicide rate in the far north shows why a treaty settlement is desperately needed.
Te Rarawa and neighbours Ngai Takoto will sign their settlements this weekend, more than 25 years after the Waitangi Tribunal started hearing the Muriwhenua claims.
Haami Piripi says the deed has taken 10 years to negotiate, with the entire Crown team changing six times during that period.
He says the iwi has tried to look ahead, and apart from land and cash it has focused on conservation, resource management, economic development and the delivery of social services.
“This time last week our suicide rate among young Māori people here has just overtaken the road toll and we have to have the means by which we can help address the problem. We aren’t the only solution of course. We have to work with government services, with our own people and communities to try and come up with a lifestyle and a scenario which provides hope and opportunity for our people because it’s hope and opportunity that’s lacking,” Mr Piripi says.
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