Hon TAU HENARE (National) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: What progress has recently been made in Treaty settlements?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) : Today the Government signed letters of agreement with three groupings representing eight iwi. Those three groups are the Kurahaupō ki Te Wai Pounamu, Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. When finalised, the agreements will resolve all outstanding historical claims in the South Island and substantial claims in the lower North Island. They mark a significant milestone in achieving the Government’s objective of justly and durably settling all Treaty grievances by the end of 2014.
Hon Tau Henare: What does the agreement signed today between the Crown and Te Tau Ihu iwi represent?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The agreements send a strong signal of the Government’s intention to maintain the current momentum in the Treaty settlements area. Te Tau Ihu agreements represent the first comprehensive regional settlements in an area where iwi interests are fully overlapped and highly contested.
Hekia Parata: What leadership has the Crown shown in reaching agreement with Te Tau Ihu iwi today?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Today’s signing is a clear example of the strong political leadership that the Government is committed to bringing to this important area of work. I want to acknowledge the personal leadership of the Prime Minister, and support of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in making the agreement possible. I also acknowledge the work of my predecessor, the Hon Dr Michael Cullen as Minister of Treaty Negotiations, who worked so hard on these settlements. I also want to make a special mention of the active involvement of the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, who participated personally in talks with respective claimant groups, and who made a significant contribution towards making today’s signings possible.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen: Has the Minister seen a cartoon on the front page of the New Zealand Herald, which purports to imply the Government has agreed to allow Ngāti Toa to charge royalties for people performing Ka mate! Ka mate!; if so, would he care to comment on the veracity of that implied assertion?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Yes, I have seen the cartoon. I regard the cartoon as puerile and inaccurate. The suggestion of Ka mate! Ka mate! dollar! dollar! is highly offensive to Ngāti Toa. We are not talking about that kind of redress, and as we move forward in Treaty settlements I think it would be very helpful—and the member would understand this because of his experience, as Minister, with agreements on the East Coast of the North Island—if journalists, and I hope I do not sound like Winston Peters, would get their facts right.
Rahui Katene: How will settling Treaty claims improve life for Māori; and will improving life for Māori improve life for other New Zealanders?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Settling Treaty claims will, among other things, increase economic opportunities for iwi and their members. I am particularly optimistic that the agreements signed today when finalised and legislated for will inject substantial funds into Te Tau Ihu, and that is good for iwi and very good for the regions.
Hon Tau Henare: What does the agreement signed today between the Crown and Te Tau Ihu iwi represent?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The agreements send a strong signal of the Government’s intention to maintain the current momentum in the Treaty settlements area. Te Tau Ihu agreements represent the first comprehensive regional settlements in an area where iwi interests are fully overlapped and highly contested.
Hekia Parata: What leadership has the Crown shown in reaching agreement with Te Tau Ihu iwi today?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Today’s signing is a clear example of the strong political leadership that the Government is committed to bringing to this important area of work. I want to acknowledge the personal leadership of the Prime Minister, and support of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in making the agreement possible. I also acknowledge the work of my predecessor, the Hon Dr Michael Cullen as Minister of Treaty Negotiations, who worked so hard on these settlements. I also want to make a special mention of the active involvement of the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, who participated personally in talks with respective claimant groups, and who made a significant contribution towards making today’s signings possible.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen: Has the Minister seen a cartoon on the front page of the New Zealand Herald, which purports to imply the Government has agreed to allow Ngāti Toa to charge royalties for people performing Ka mate! Ka mate!; if so, would he care to comment on the veracity of that implied assertion?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Yes, I have seen the cartoon. I regard the cartoon as puerile and inaccurate. The suggestion of Ka mate! Ka mate! dollar! dollar! is highly offensive to Ngāti Toa. We are not talking about that kind of redress, and as we move forward in Treaty settlements I think it would be very helpful—and the member would understand this because of his experience, as Minister, with agreements on the East Coast of the North Island—if journalists, and I hope I do not sound like Winston Peters, would get their facts right.
Rahui Katene: How will settling Treaty claims improve life for Māori; and will improving life for Māori improve life for other New Zealanders?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Settling Treaty claims will, among other things, increase economic opportunities for iwi and their members. I am particularly optimistic that the agreements signed today when finalised and legislated for will inject substantial funds into Te Tau Ihu, and that is good for iwi and very good for the regions.
