11. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
What were the 13 occasions between 1997 to 2003 on which New Zealand has consulted “interested Māori and others” on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and what are the names of the groups and individuals that were consulted on those 13 occasions?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
They were on various days in May 1997, July 1997, October 1999, October 2000, November 2000, May 2001, November 2001, July 2002, August 2002, and August 2003. Many hundreds of people attended, so obviously one cannot list all of them. Amongst the groups involved were the Māori Women’s Welfare League, New Zealand Māori Council, National Māori Congress, Māori Legal Service, Rātana Church, Waitangi Tribunal, and the Māori Land Court.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What advice did his office give that led the Prime Minister to respond to Dr Pita Sharples, in a letter of 16 October 2006, regarding the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which states that some critics “have not even read the chair’s text or the many statements we have given on the subject.”; and what evidence does he believe the Prime Minister may have to support that claim?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
There is a great deal of misinformed comment on the declaration. One of the saddest things is that a number of countries indicated that they are voting for the declaration, but have no intention of implementing it.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What is his responsibility for the statement made on 16 October 2006, which was tabled at the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly by a representative of New Zealand, which stated: “Social and economic policies are best determined on the basis of need.”, and where does he suggest that the notion of “rights” fits within this?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The Government is a signatory, along with a very large number of other countries, to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unlike many of those countries, we actually follow that declaration.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I seek leave to table a letter from the Prime Minister to Dr Pita Sharples concerning the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I seek leave to table the statement made by the representative of New Zealand to the United Nations General Assembly 61st session.