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It's been a big week for Treaty settlements this past week.  On Wednesday, the biggest Treaty settlement ever was signed by the Central North Island Iwi Collective and the Crown for the forests.  Hundreds of Maori turned up to Parliament to see it! Also on Wednesday, terms of negotiation were signed with Raukawa, and on Thursday a deed of settlement was signed with Taranaki Whanui. Both the Pumautanga o Te Arawa and Central North Island settlement legislation began its journey through the House as well.

Wednesday saw crowds arrive at Parliament to witness the Central North Island forest signing, the atmosphere was celebratory in the Banquet Hall, the Grand Hall and the Legislative Chamber as Iwi perched on balconies to witness the historical occasion. There were old people, young people, people who had never met, long-time friends and many whanau. There were people who had travelled for miles to be there, and people from Wellington waiting to greet them.

Most of these people were representing the seven iwi of the North Island Collective - Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Whare, Ngāti Manawa, Raukawa, and the Affiliate Te Arawa Iwi and Hapū. They were there to see history happen in front of their eyes as signatures were put to paper.

The Central North Island Settlement is the tenth concluded up to deed since Labour came into office in 1999, and negotiations are underway with 27 claimant groups. Labour respects and understands New Zealand's past. We believe it is important not to gloss over it.  Indeed it is our history that shapes who we are as a country. Yes, there have been times in our history when we have fought against one another; where people have tried to use ethnicity, language and religion to divide us. But the choice for leadership is a simple one - to be honest, make an effort to right the wrongs and work hard together to make a better society for everyone.

That's why the Treaty settlements process is about more than righting the wrongs of the past. It's about making the future brighter on the foundations of honesty. The agreements progressed this week, like all the others, gives Māori the opportunity to take a step forward in their development and it gives New Zealand another reason to stand proud. This Central North Island settlement will deliver a major economic boost to the members of the collective iwi, with significant gains for the regional and national economies as well.

It's this belief in a brighter future that drives Labour in all that we do. Our history has shaped who we are and what we believe in.  We want to create a society where there are opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. And now there are more Māori children in education, Māori life expectancy is increasing, there are more Māori in work than ever before.

Treaty settlements, such as the ones progressed last week give Māori communities the opportunity to step into development mode that will secure a prosperous future.

As the crowds dispersed from Parliament, people said their farewells and promised to see each other again soon, it made me think how far New Zealand has come as a nation, and how much further we can go when we travel together.

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