Forging Futures - 10 Years Post Settlement
3 March 2009
A new era in the relationship between Ngāi Tahu and the Crown was the focus of a reception hosted by the Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs, in association with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu at Parliament today.
Ten years on from the Ngāi Tahu Settlement, Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon met with the Deputy Leader Bill English and key Members of Parliament to present the tribe's vision to build closer working relationships with the Crown.
"Ngai Tahu wants to be able to share responsibility for contributing to the continued growth and wellbeing of Te Waipounamu and Aotearoa," Mark Solomon said.
"Ngāi Tahu and iwi are the perfect partners for the Crown, we want to promote growth through development and we want to invest in our nation through partnership. A new era of relationship between the Crown and iwi hinges on shared responsibility."
Ngāi Tahu sees exciting opportunities for public iwi partnerships by direct investment in national infrastructure and by helping to design new policy.
"We are here forever, we are committed to New Zealand and we are letting the government know. This reception today is about looking to the future and taking an active role in it," Solomon said.
Ngāi Tahu has solid commercial operations, we are building effective business relationships with other iwi and we have the desire and resources to contribute.
Speakers at the event included:
- Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples (function host)
- Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Bill English (keynote speaker)
- The Kaiwhakahaere, Mark Solomon
- Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu CEO, Anake Goodall
Those who attended included Ministers, Maori and South Island MPs, heads of government departments, agencies and SOEs, iwi leaders, and representatives of business and the unions.
ENDS