12. PITA PARAONE (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
What advice, if any, has he received regarding Māori satisfaction with the current time frame for Treaty of Waitangi settlements?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
I am aware that more groups than ever have chosen to enter negotiations with the Crown. This indicates to me that Māori are as committed and determined as the Crown to resolve historical Treaty of Waitangi grievances by 2020.
Can the Minister confirm that by setting an explicit date for lodging historical claims, as contained in the Māori Purposes Bill, a greater sense of urgency and focus has been brought to the Treaty settlement process?
It is certainly the case that this Government is committed to further accelerating the Treaty settlement process and that the provision of a final lodging date in the Māori Purposes Bill is part of ensuring that. It gives, I think, a legitimate opportunity for those with a grievance to lodge a claim. It also indicates to New Zealanders that an end point is in sight.
Gerry BrownleeCan he confirm that after inflation, the Government’s so-called new initiative funding for Vote Treaty Negotiations in this year’s Budget sees funding fall by some $482,000, and is this confirmation that the Labour Government has a go-slow approach to Treaty settlements?
I can confirm that in addition to additions in the provision for the Office of Treaty Settlements in 3 of the last 4 years, increasing its negotiation, research, and legal capabilities, the provision for the next 4 years contained in this year’s Budget will increase its negotiation capability overall, and that, indeed, people are being recruited and interviewed as we speak.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. What would the Minister say to the rūnanga currently in negotiation with the Crown who wrote to the Māori Party this morning stating: “We do not look on the settlement process as providing us justice. Recent performance in relation to Māori issues has shown that the compromises that result are not in the interests of Māori.”?
I would say that I, and the Crown, enter into good-faith negotiations directly with parties, not through the media and certainly not through second-hand correspondence.
Will the Minister ensure that the Office of Treaty Settlements is sufficiently resourced to meet the increased demand that will inevitably occur with an explicit final date for lodging claims?