4. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Deputy Prime Minister
Kei hea ngā mahi i te wā nei mō te whakatū ropū ārahi i te arotakenga-whānui o ngā whakaritenga ā-ture o Aotearoa?
[What progress has been made on establishing a group to lead a wide-ranging review of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements?]
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
The Government confirmed such a review in December that would include the size of Parliament, the length of the electoral term, Māori representation, the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, and whether New Zealand needs a written constitution. Today the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, and I confirmed the make-up of the Constitutional Advisory Panel. It will be co-chaired by Professor John Burrows and Sir Tīpene O’Regan. It will shortly begin work on a plan to inform public debate, and it will report back to Ministers in September 2013.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What significance has been accorded to Crown-Māori relationship matters, including Māori representation and electoral participation, and how does the membership of the panel reflect this?
The significance attributed to the Crown-Māori relationship is appropriate to the historical and contemporary practice of that relationship. In the context of the panel itself, Dr Sharples and I are supervising the panel together, there are co-chairs—Professor John Burrows and Sir Tīpene O’Regan—and I think the balance of the membership reflects a strong and broad Māori interest in constitutional matters.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
How will tangata whenua be involved in the discussion on New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements?
That discussion will probably begin in earnest next year. The plan of the panel, as I understand it, is to have one meeting this year, then to keep clear of the electoral referendum that is associated with the 2011 election. The panel’s terms of reference require it to listen to a wide range of views. I hope that many Māori who have strong constitutional views will take the opportunity to air those, so that the public are more familiar with them and get to grips with the implications of those views. Often these discussions are held just between the Crown and Māori, and they deserve a broader airing.