December 19, 2014
Waikato Tainui celebrates 20 years of settlement
Waikato Tainui is getting ready for a year of celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of its Raupatu Settlement.
It starts on Sunday, the anniversary of the signing of the heads of agreement, with the unveiling a new pou haki at the tribal complex in Hopuhopu followed by the official launch of a book on the settlement.
Shane Solomon, who was part of the negotiating team, says other significant dates are May 22, when the deed of settlement was signed, and October 3, when the legislation was passed.
He says while there was a lot of focus at the time on the $170 million price tag for what was the first major settlement of an historic claim, of more importance to the tribe was the apology from the crown and the acknowledgement of past wrongs.
That set the template for future settlements.
He says while there is some truth in Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell’s korero this week that settlements are not about resolving Maori social ills and have little impact on the Maori in the street, the chance in attitude once grievances have been set aside can change people’s lives.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com