12. Hon TAU HENARE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Maori Affairs
Did he have a meeting with the Minister of Fisheries last night; if so, would it be accurate to describe that meeting as a crisis meeting?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
The Minister is currently at the commemorations for the late Dame Te Atairangikaahu at Tūrangawaewae. The answer is yes and no.
Why did it take until last evening to hold an urgent Clayton’s meeting with the Minister of Fisheries, when the decision to defer the reporting date of the bill had already been made yesterday afternoon?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As far as I am aware, the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Minister of Fisheries meet on many occasions.
Does the Minister recall a statement issued by the Labour Māori caucus during the foreshore and seabed debate: “The land wars are over so the consent of tangata whenua is required before customary title can be extinguished. Otherwise it is a confiscation.”; and can we expect, just like the foreshore and seabed issue, that members of the Labour Māori caucus will stamp their feet, shake their taiaha, then accept being patted on the head and pushed back into the corner, as they are told to do?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
There are discussions occurring that I am sure will lead to a satisfactory outcome from the perspective of a wide range of people. I am sure that the National Party will still find a reason to oppose the legislation, and I am sure that before we get to the next election it will express the view that it will not change it.
Pita ParaoneTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Does the Labour Māori caucus believe that the sustainability of our fisheries is vital to the success of the Maori Fisheries Act, and what would be the effect of the collapse of our fisheries on Māori and the fishing industry?
Madam SPEAKERI just note that the Minister is not responsible for a caucus meeting or caucus affairs, but if the question addresses a ministerial responsibility—
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. This question is to the Minister of Māori Affairs, and I understand that the Minister of Māori Affairs is a member of the Labour Māori caucus.
Yes, but when he is addressing the question he is responsible only in his role as Minister, not as a member of a caucus—I just make that point. Would the member like to rephrase the question so that it is clear it is about a ministerial responsibility.
Does the Minister share the view that the Māori caucus believes that the sustainability of our fisheries is vital to the success of the Maori Fisheries Act; and what would be the effect of the collapse of our fisheries on Māori and the fishing industry?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Yes, the Minister and his colleagues strongly support the sustainability of the fisheries. There is no point in owning 100 percent of nothing.
Was last night’s crisis meeting the first consultation that he as Minister of Māori Affairs has had with the Minister of Fisheries, or has he known about these proposals and been complicit in trying to push them through from the start?
How many other commercial decisions that directly affect the economic development and well-being of Māori are the Minister’s Cabinet colleagues slipping past him, knowing he is not easily woken from the slumber of ministerial comfort?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The Minister attends many, many meetings about Māori issues, not least meetings with the Attorney-General on matters to do with the foreshore and seabed.