Hon TAU HENARE (National) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: What is the Government doing to help achieve its aim of settling all historic grievances by 2014?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) : In 2 weeks the Government is holding a hui to discuss with iwi who are currently engaged in Treaty settlement negotiations, or who are about to enter negotiations, how the Government’s aim of settling historic grievances by 2014 can be achieved.
Hon Tau Henare: Why is the Government holding the Te Kōkiri Ngātahi hui?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The Government is committed to resolving historic grievances in a just and durable manner, because settlements protect and promote Māori interests and identity by helping to develop a strong economic base. In order to increase the momentum in Treaty settlements, we have to look for ways in which we can achieve these settlements more quickly than we have done in the past. The Crown cannot make effective change unilaterally. The central North Island settlement shows how powerful creative cooperation can be in removing longstanding obstacles to progress.
Hon Tau Henare: What issues or proposals will be discussed with iwi at Te Kōkiri Ngātahi?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The Government believes that changes in the Crown-Māori relationship can help it to achieve the settlement of historic grievances by 2014. These changes focus primarily on a stronger role for Māori in determining the nature of settlements, how settlements may be resolved, and how settlements are to be carried out. Māori have clear ideas about what works and does not work in this area. This hui is an opportunity to have a dialogue with Māori on these issues.
Hon Tau Henare: Why is the Government holding the Te Kōkiri Ngātahi hui?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The Government is committed to resolving historic grievances in a just and durable manner, because settlements protect and promote Māori interests and identity by helping to develop a strong economic base. In order to increase the momentum in Treaty settlements, we have to look for ways in which we can achieve these settlements more quickly than we have done in the past. The Crown cannot make effective change unilaterally. The central North Island settlement shows how powerful creative cooperation can be in removing longstanding obstacles to progress.
Hon Tau Henare: What issues or proposals will be discussed with iwi at Te Kōkiri Ngātahi?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The Government believes that changes in the Crown-Māori relationship can help it to achieve the settlement of historic grievances by 2014. These changes focus primarily on a stronger role for Māori in determining the nature of settlements, how settlements may be resolved, and how settlements are to be carried out. Māori have clear ideas about what works and does not work in this area. This hui is an opportunity to have a dialogue with Māori on these issues.
