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The Government is putting a one-off $6 million towards preserving and promoting the identity and culture of Chatham Islands' Moriori.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the grant would fund Te Keke Tura Moriori Identity Trust, a charitable entity which would work "to preserve, revive, support and promote Moriori identity".
The trust deed recognised the Moriori as the "foundation people" of the Chathams by virtue of their ancestors having been on Rekohu (Chatham Island) and Rangiauria (Pitt Island) for many centuries.
Today's announcement was made at Te Papa museum in Wellington with a video link to Kopinga Marae on the Chathams.
Miss Clark said there was determination in the Moriori community to respect, value and safeguard their ancient heritage.
"The Crown, by its actions tonight, recognises the importance and reality of Moriori cultural revival. All New Zealanders will benefit from the understanding of our history and Moriori culture which will result from this revival," she said.
Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson said Moriori were a "strong and intact" people prior to contact with the outside world in 1791.
"The subsequent colonisation of Rekohu by both pakeha and Maori had a devastating impact on the culture, language and identity of the Moriori people - the effects of which are still felt by descendants today," she said.
Shirley King, a spokeswoman for Hokotehi Moriori Trust which represents those of Moriori descent, said today's event was a historic step for Moriori and all New Zealanders.
"It sets the basis upon which we can continue to rebuild our culture and language and to continue to honour the legacy of peace left to us by our karapuna (ancestors)."
Te Keke Tura Moriori Identity Trust will have a maximum of five trustees, two of which will be appointed by Hokotehi Moriori Trust with three appointed in an independent process.
Research indicated Moriori went to the Chatham Islands from New Zealand about 1500 but Moriori traditions maintained there were people on the island before the canoe voyagers arrived, the Government said.
The Moriori language is related to Maori and other Polynesian languages.
Miss Clark said the announcement today was not a Treaty of Waitangi settlement although Moriori had separately made progress on such a claim.
She spoke about other efforts at reconciliation with people "whose voices have not been heard in the past".
These included: descendants of early Chinese people in New Zealand who were subjected to a poll tax; Samoans whose forebears suffered because of New Zealand's colonial administrators; those who suffered abuse while in the care of the state; and Vietnam veterans whose service to New Zealand was not properly recognised.
- NZPA
