February 08, 2013
Te Hiku Accord Foundation For Economy
Te Rarawa leader Haami Piripi says a new social development accord will help post-settlement iwi in the far north rebuild their communities.
Te Hiku Development Trust, which also includes Te Aupouri and Ngāi Takoto, signed the accord at Waitangi this week with Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and other Crown agencies.
Mr Piripi says there is little point settling historic claims if people still depend on the state for daily sustenance.
He says the accord will allow the iwi to develop targeted social programmes while getting on with the business of economic development.
“With the return of assets under the historic services plans process, we’ve got a great opportunity to establish the economic platform and focus on training and employment as well as other aspects of social service progression, upon our asset development base. We not just talking about training sake or education sake, we’ve actually got assets and infrastructure there in place where we can stream our young people through into careers opportunities”. Haami Piripi says.
Haami Piripi says the accord is one of the most comprehensive yet done between Crown and iwi.
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