March 15, 2017
Te Wairoa claim bill sent to select committee
Parliament this morning passed the first reading of the Iwi and Hapu of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill through its first reading.
The Bill includes total financial and commercial redress of $100 million
It transfers interests in Wharerata Forest Limited and Patunamu Crown Forest Licensed land and gives the iwi and hapu the opportunity to purchase a number of Crown properties.
Leon Symes, the chair of post-settlement governance organisation Tatou Tatou E, says the focus now turns to the Maori affairs select committee.
"Obviously we're encouraging our whanau to write positive submissions towards our bill. It's a good time as well to highlight those who may not be happy with the settlement. That will help us in future. We're encouraging our whanau to attend the third reading, we will hopefully turn out stronger numbers. The select committee is where our next focus is after today," he says.
Mr Symes says work is still needed to get a permanent structure members are happy with,
FULL INTERVIEW WITH LEON SYMES
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com