KEY POINTS:
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Maori Affairs, Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen.....
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am honored to be here today on this truly historic occasion.
Today we are celebrating an extraordinary example of what can be achieved when we focus on a clear vision for our future, establish a climate of trust and goodwill and maintain a determination to succeed.
In the past twenty years Iwi of the Central North Island have contemplated many ways of settling their forestry claims. The importance of reaching a settlement of the CNI Forests has been emphasised by the past participation of many of our elders including our most respected leaders. It is appropriate, therefore that we acknowledge everyone who has passed on during this time. This occasion represents a great tribute to their memory and this Settlement fulfills a vital part of our commitment to rectify past injustices.
This Settlement will see the return of a significant scale and value of regional assets being vested in CNI Iwi. Each iwi has its own social, cultural and economic development objectives and these should be achieved in the most effective means possible. We will continue to find ways to build on the cooperative spirit of the CNI Iwi and ensure that we maximise the economic benefits and opportunities to members of each CNI iwi.
The Collectives adherence to tikanga iwi has been a defining feature of its decision-making in these negotiations. The value of this approach was demonstrated in the Collectives early agreement on a formula for the allocation of financial benefits to each of its constituent iwi. The Collective has also decided on a process for determining the underlying mana whenua of the CNI lands. These are key features unique to this Settlement. Reaching agreement on a mana whenua based determination and allocation process is central to our perception of fairness and equity and an essential precondition to the durability of this Settlement.
As part of its commitment to ensure the commercial integrity of its business the CNI Iwi Collective will be promoting a climate for the development of strategic relationships with many parties and organisations. This is critical to our success. We are also keen to continue to work in partnership with the Crown to achieve mutual economic, environmental and social benefits.
When we met at Waihi I mentioned that we had reached the summit of an extraordinary point in the relationships between the Crown and CNI Iwi. By signing this Settlement today we are also signaling our intention to be a positive and inextricable part of mainstream New Zealand community. We can also contemplate a future where CNI Iwi will engage significantly in the global forestry industry by building on emerging and creating future opportunities. In this regard I acknowledge the support of the Government to initiate a process for determining a CNI Iwi economic development strategy. We are under no illusion that the real challenge for success lies immediately in front of us in the implementation and set up phase. The Crown's high level input will continue to be critical and valuable to this ongoing process.
CNI Iwi development benefits arising from this Settlement must be viewed in generational time frames. We are perpetual owners of land assets and will become long term owners of significant commercial assets. The values generated from the wise management of settlement assets will accrue directly to our rangatahi and to descendents who are yet to be born. This is our legacy to them and we must be mindful of the importance of ensuring their successful transition into all aspects of these settlement outcomes through maintaining a strong imperative on education and enterprise.
At our Hui in Waihi on the 4th of April, I asked for CNI Iwi to exercise patience and understanding to allow the Collective to carry out the necessary processes required to complete this Settlement. I want to acknowledge the huge commitment that all iwi have made in supporting the Collective during the Endorsement Hui. Today we are able to confirm the iwi signatories to the Settlement as Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Whare, Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Manawa, Raukawa, Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and Ngati Tuwharetoa. This has been a very challenging negotiation and it would not have been possible to get this far without the wisdom, commitment, strength and leadership of CNI Iwi. I extend my humble congratulations to all CNI Iwi in reaching this point today.
Ngati Rangitihi has been an integral part of the CNI Collective and its business from the very start of our negotiations. I am aware that Ngati Rangitihi were able to support the Agreement in Principle which contained all the substantial elements of this Settlement. It is unfortunate indeed that you were unable to reach an agreement to sign the Settlement before today's deadline. As the Minister has stated, there is a window of opportunity for Ngati Rangitihi to complete its requirement for signing.
I am indebted to the outstanding leadership provided by Ngati Rangitihi's CNI Collective Delegate Henry Prior. The qualities he has contributed are the hallmark qualities that have marked the success of the Collective and we cannot afford to lose such strengths in the critical period that lies ahead of us. I extend my personal encouragement to Ngati Rangitihi to accomplish this task and reconfirm the continued strong support that you have in the Collective.
I am extremely grateful that we have been able to reach a mutual understanding and agreement with Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and to have you confirmed as a member of the Collective. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Rawiri Te Whare and the members of the Board of Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa in this regard. It is important for the Collective to reaffirm its support for the Comprehensive Settlement you have reached with the Crown.
From the very start of this negotiation the Collective was bound to preserve the value of the Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa, Ngati Whare and Ngati Manawa settlement positions. Where we are today, is confirmation that we have been able to achieve this. I must also acknowledge the huge efforts made by Raukawa in confirming your commitment to join the Collective within a very tight timeframe.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the work ahead for those Iwi with interests in the CNI Forests who are not part of the Collective. An important raft of work is still to be completed to enable all of us to reach agreement on the issues of mana whenua. When we consider the matter of wealth generation and allocation it would seem logical for us all to agree on a means of working together to achieve optimised efficiencies on all fronts. Working cooperatively on the core business of forestry would appear to be a prime commitment in this direction.
I want to conclude by congratulating everyone who has played a part in the achievement of this Settlement.
I want to especially acknowledge the decisive leadership of the Minister In Charge Of Treaty Of Waitangi Negotiations and the support received from the Minister of Maori Affairs. I want to also acknowledge the Crown Facilitator, Wira Gardner for his assisting not only the Crown but also the CNI Iwi groups. I want to commend the members of the Crown Secretariat in maintaining exceptionally high integrity in the engagements with our Negotiation Team and with CNI Iwi.
For the CNI Iwi Collective I extend my special thanks to our Iwi Delegates who have demonstrated incredible leadership and governance and a special spirit of manaakitanga and cooperation. I extend a special thanks to the CNI Collective's Secretariat and Management Team who have been our powerhouse in planning our activities and organising weekly meetings since December to ensure that appropriate decisions were made within the timeframes required. I extend a special thanks to our Negotiation and Advisory Team for their expertise and in providing excellent advocacy at the negotiating table. Their tireless communications with individual iwi has been a key ingredient.
None of this work would have been possible without the funding provided by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust. On behalf of the Collective I express our appreciation to the Trustees and staff and acknowledge the central role that you have in enabling settlements to be completed and in providing the capacity to ensure that each settlement is established on a solid and secure foundation.
For me the most pleasing aspect of this process has been the building of special relationships between members of each Iwi within the Collective and the remarkable team building that has taken place in bringing together all participants in the CNI Collective in a relatively short period of time. While some of us may tend to measure the success of this Settlement in terms of future economic value the immense, benefit of establishing and maintaining the spirit of cooperation between us all is fundamental to our future success.
