September 06, 2015
New dawn for Taranaki iwi
Taranaki iwi is looking forward to the future after signing off on its historical settlement.
The ceremony was held at Puke Te Whiti Gardens near the base of Taranaki maunga.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson says the crown can never fully compensate for the wrongs Taranaki endured during and after the wars of the 1860s, including scorched earth tactics, imprisonment, and the raupatu or confiscation of land.
But he says the settlement should provide a basis for develpment and for a new relationship with the Crown based on genuine partnership.
The settlement includes financial redress of $70 million, along with 29 sites of cultural significance to be vested in the iwi, including Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands which will be shared with Te Atiawa.
The settlement was achieved after the issue of a compensation or apology for the sacking of Parihaka was set to one side to be dealt with by a separate Kawe Tutaki Working Group chaired by Dame Tariana Turia.
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