Nāia te whakamiha, te uruhau ki a koutou i runga i ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā. Mauri ora ki a tātou.
I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Rārua on the recent signing of their respective Deeds of Settlement.
The signing between the Crown and Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu on April 20 marked the the final deed of settlement for historical claims in the South Island. I see this as a huge milestone and in every respect the moment in which the iwi of Te Waipounamu, can begin rebuilding side-by-side for the benefit of our future generations.
Ngāi Tahu was represented at the signing of the Deeds of Settlement for both Ngāti Rarua and Ngāti Tama. Ngāti Rarua held their celebrations at Parerarua Marae in Spring Creek on Saturday 13 April. The Ngāi Tahu relationship with Ngāti Rārua has become much closer in recent years and I look forward to developing this relationship further. I congratulate Ngāti Rārua whānui in their successes and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
The Ngāti Tama Deed of Settlement was signed a week later at Onetahua Marae, Pohara Valley, Tākaka. Ngāi Tahu has a very constructive and positive relationship with Ngāti Tama through a long history of co-operation on fisheries and aquaculture issues. Ngāti Tama was, with Ngāi Tahu, a strong champion for the establishment of a Te Waipounamu Iwi fisheries forum which meets regularly through the year to advance collaborative fishing kaupapa. Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Tama are in the process of developing a relationship agreement which will outline on-going principles of engagement and a commitment to explore collaboration on matters of mutual interest such as fisheries, whānau ora, aquaculture, commercial opportunities, social environmental and cultural issues. In many respects, the “real” work now begins for these iwi as they set about to carve an exciting and prosperous future.
Lastly I would like to acknowledge the passing of Parekura Horomia. Parekura passed away 29 April and his tangihanga was held in Uawa. Parekura has strong whakapapa connections to Ngāi Tahu, through Ngāti Hāteatea, Moeraki. His great grandmother is Titi Rutherford who is buried in Kawa urupā in Moeraki. Parekura was very proud of his Ngāi Tahu connections and would visit Moeraki regularly. Parekura will be remembered for his big-heart leadership and commitment to his people. He will be missed by all and I send my aroha to the Horomia whānau.
E te rangatira, e te manukura
Tō kaha i te Ana o te Raiona
Kua kitea ngā hua i te ao Māori
Mōu i whakatangetange riaka mō te iwi, mōu i para te huarahi mō ngā uri whakatipu, e kore e warewaretia.
Hanatū rā koe ki te kāhui whetū i te rangi, ki ngā mātua tīpuna
Waiho atu mātou ki konei
Hai haku, hai tangi mōu
Kia au te moe, kia au te moe
E oki i te okingaroa.