November 30, 2016
Taranaki iwi celebrate settlement bills passing
It’s a special day for three Taranaki iwi who have travelled to parliament to witness a major step in their settlement journeys.
MPs sat this morning for the third reading of the Te Atiawa, Taranaki and Ngaruhine settlement bills.
As well as cultural redress and some co-governance arrangements, Te Atiawa will get $87 million in cash, Taranaki $70 million, and Ngaruahine $67.5 million.
Taranaki Iwi Trust chair Tokatumoana Walden says the iwi knew going ion to the process they would not get compensation for all the land that was confiscated, but the settlements offer a new start.
"In the past it was about grievance – 'they've done this to us, they've trampled on our mana,' – to now where the conversations we are having with our people are 'where do you want to be in two, five, 10 years time?' They say 'what?' They haven't quite realised there are lots of opportunities about empowering our people to take control of their own destiny and we be there as one of many vehicles to assist them in building their wishees, their hiahia for the future, and I think it's a really exciting place to be" he says.
Mr Walden says it was great the three iwi could celebrate their settlements together.
FULL INTERVIEW: TOKATUMOANA WALDEN
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