Hon TAU HENARE (National) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: What progress has recently been made towards achieving the Government’s goal of settling historic Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) : Great progress has been made since the House rose late last year. On 22 December I signed agreements in principle with Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara and Ngāti Manuhiri, signalling a breakthrough in the settlement of historical claims in the Tāmaki-makau-rau region. On 15 January I signed agreements in principle with the five iwi of the Te Hiku Forum: Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto--
Hon Shane Jones: Very clever people.
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: —Mr Jones—Ngāti Kahu, and Ngāti Kurī. The Crown has also recognised the mandates of Mana Ahuriri Incorporated and Te Au Mārō o Ngāti Pūkenga. On 25 January I signed terms of negotiation with Ngāti Pūkenga, and I think this work represents real progress.
Hon Tau Henare: How does this recent progress fit in with the Government’s commitment to advancing the settlement of historical grievances?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Since the beginning of 2009 the Government has recognised eight deeds of mandate and signed seven terms of negotiation, 12 agreements in principle, and four deeds of settlement. Although the Government has made significant progress towards achieving its goal of just and durable settlements of historical Treaty claims by 2014, the previous administration achieved the somewhat less than stellar average of 1.6 settlements per year—a pace that would have seen iwi still in negotiations in 2048. [Interruption] That is why those members are braying like jackals as I speak.
Hon Maryan Street: Is the Minister aware of any instances where new grievances may be created in the process of resolving historical ones; if so, how does he propose to address them?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The member alluded to this allegation in an interview on Radio New Zealand National the other week. I say for the benefit of that member that I am acutely conscious of the need to proceed very carefully when dealing with the move from agreements in principle to deeds of settlement. I am particularly aware of the issue that she has raised in relation to Te Tau Ihu. That issue results from intra-iwi differences that go back many years, which need to be handled very carefully indeed.
Hon Tau Henare: What recent reports has the Minister seen regarding the pace of Treaty settlements?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: In my answer to a previous supplementary question I referred to an interview that Ms Street had on Radio New Zealand National where at times she seemed to be arguing that rather than resolving matters in a timely manner, the Government should slow down. Perhaps this interview explains why Labour’s record was 1.6 settlements per year over 9 years.
Hon Shane Jones: Very clever people.
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: —Mr Jones—Ngāti Kahu, and Ngāti Kurī. The Crown has also recognised the mandates of Mana Ahuriri Incorporated and Te Au Mārō o Ngāti Pūkenga. On 25 January I signed terms of negotiation with Ngāti Pūkenga, and I think this work represents real progress.
Hon Tau Henare: How does this recent progress fit in with the Government’s commitment to advancing the settlement of historical grievances?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Since the beginning of 2009 the Government has recognised eight deeds of mandate and signed seven terms of negotiation, 12 agreements in principle, and four deeds of settlement. Although the Government has made significant progress towards achieving its goal of just and durable settlements of historical Treaty claims by 2014, the previous administration achieved the somewhat less than stellar average of 1.6 settlements per year—a pace that would have seen iwi still in negotiations in 2048. [Interruption] That is why those members are braying like jackals as I speak.
Hon Maryan Street: Is the Minister aware of any instances where new grievances may be created in the process of resolving historical ones; if so, how does he propose to address them?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The member alluded to this allegation in an interview on Radio New Zealand National the other week. I say for the benefit of that member that I am acutely conscious of the need to proceed very carefully when dealing with the move from agreements in principle to deeds of settlement. I am particularly aware of the issue that she has raised in relation to Te Tau Ihu. That issue results from intra-iwi differences that go back many years, which need to be handled very carefully indeed.
Hon Tau Henare: What recent reports has the Minister seen regarding the pace of Treaty settlements?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: In my answer to a previous supplementary question I referred to an interview that Ms Street had on Radio New Zealand National where at times she seemed to be arguing that rather than resolving matters in a timely manner, the Government should slow down. Perhaps this interview explains why Labour’s record was 1.6 settlements per year over 9 years.
