5. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Has the Government made any important advances in Treaty settlement negotiations recently?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
Yes. Most recently, last Friday, the Crown signed an agreement in principle with the Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei Māori Trust Board. The agreement in principle covers Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei’s outstanding claims in central Auckland, Waitakere, North Shore, and part of Manukau. The agreement in principle is a major milestone that will address historical grievances in the Auckland urban area.
Is the Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei agreement in principle a one-off, or is there a growing momentum in the Treaty settlements process?
There is, indeed, a growing momentum in the settlement process. The recent Budget provided additional funding to the Office of Treaty Settlements allowing it to respond to the increasing number of groups ready to begin settlement negotiations. Currently the Government is in negotiations with over 20 groups covering hundreds of claims. In the very near future the Government will be seeking support for the Ngati Mutunga Claims Settlement Bill, the fourth settlement achieved in Taranaki.
Gerry BrownleeCan he confirm that the Ngāti Whātua proposed settlement includes the right of first option to purchase over 170 Government-owned properties with a value well in excess of $1 billion, which will therefore mean that rather than being a $10 million settlement, this is a settlement that, over time, will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars?
I can confirm that, as with many previous settlements—in fact, most previous settlements—there is a right of first refusal on a range of Government properties. If and when any of those properties become available they will become available at the prevailing market price, and, therefore, it represents a comparable but better protected arrangement than previous settlements.
Can the Minister confirm that the extra $5 million made available to his department for Treaty negotiations over the next 5 years, after adjustment for inflation, means he will have less money year by year than he had last year?