The Māori Affairs Committee is calling for public submissions on the Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill, marking a major step forward in the long-running Treaty settlement process for Whanganui hapū.
The legislation gives legal effect to parts of the Deed of Settlement known as He Rau Tukutuku, signed between Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown earlier this month.
The settlement addresses historical Treaty of Waitangi breaches suffered by Whanganui hapū and includes a mix of cultural and commercial redress, acknowledgements and a formal Crown apology.
The bill contains provisions recognising the cultural, spiritual and historical relationships Whanganui hapū maintain with whenua, waterways and significant sites throughout the rohe.
Proposed redress measures include the vesting of culturally significant lands, statutory acknowledgements, place name changes, cultural protection mechanisms and commercial property transfers.
The legislation also establishes arrangements linked to environmental and reserve management, including the creation of Ngā Tūtei a Maru, a joint reserve governance body connected to Whanganui hapū interests.
The Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiation Trust says the settlement reflects years of negotiations aimed at restoring relationships, recognising historical injustice and creating opportunities for future generations.
Ratification results released by the trust earlier this year showed strong support among registered members for both the Deed of Settlement and the proposed post-settlement governance entity, Takapau Whāriki Trust.
The settlement is separate from the earlier Te Awa Tupua settlement, which recognised the Whanganui River as a legal person in 2017, but continues the wider process of resolving historical grievances across the Whanganui rohe.
Public submissions on the bill are now open through Parliament’s Māori Affairs Committee before the legislation progresses further through the House.
