October 3, 2008
Contemporary Wai 692 claim signed
Ten years of negotiation culminated today (Friday, October 3) with the signing of the Deed of Settlement for the
contemporary aspects of the Wai 692 claim, between the Claimants, the Crown and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.
DHB chief executive Chris Clarke said the signing of the Deed came with a sense of occasion that had been a long time
coming.
Part of the settlement was a Memorandum of Commitment between the DHB and the claimants to work together to improve
Maori health services in Ahuriri. The contracts would focus on traditional Maori healing and health and social services,
he said.
There will also be regular meetings between the claimants and DHB, and although the contracts were for a fixed term, the
relationship between the DHB and the claimants we see as enduring, Mr Clarke said.
Mr Clarke said he had been involved 10 years ago to act on behalf of the Crown when the claim was first lodged in 1998.
“To be here today shows the perseverance of the Claimants, Crown Law and DHB staff - it makes it very significant to
have finally got here.”
Particular mention must be made of the late Hana Cotter who was a pillar in the Napier community and one of the original
claimants to the Wai 692 claim, he said
“The settlement for the contemporary aspects of Wai 692 under the deed of settlement came about largely through her and
her co-claimants dedication and vision. She was a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of the people of
Ahuriri, particularly the Maori community she lived amongst in Marewa, Maraenui and Onekawa South. In her work on Wai
692 she was widely supported by the community and, particularly, by her whanau and co-claimants."
ENDS