7. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
How does the Crown intend to ensure that the method of calculating the quantum of the settlement for Ngāti Mutunga will be fair in reality as well as fair in the circumstances?
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Acting Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
The Crown’s view is that the comprehensive redress package offered to Ngāti Mutunga, and accepted by them, is fair in the circumstances. The reality is that the Crown and Ngāti Mutunga acknowledge that the Crown could not afford to pay full compensation for the breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What explanation can the Minister provide for the Crown being unable to adequately explain the methodology for how it determined the Ngāti Mutunga settlement, and does he agree with Ngāti Mutunga that the Crown needs to demonstrate more transparency if the settlement process is to have any credibility or long-term durability?
During the hearing of submissions in Taranaki the Ngāti Mutunga negotiators did express some concern about the process and a lack of understanding over the formula to determine the quantum. However, they were also very, very forthcoming in saying that the priority for them was in the outcome of the negotiations, because they wanted to put the grievances of the past behind them and start building a future for future generations of Ngāti Mutunga.
Pita ParaoneTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Yesterday during the Finance and Expenditure Committee proceedings, the Minister of Finance confirmed that the $1 billion fiscal cap imposed by National in 1995 for Treaty settlements will be exceeded; why is this the case, and how will it be funded?
I cannot answer that question in full, but who better to make that statement than the Minister of Finance?
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
How is the Ngāti Mutunga settlement consistent and relative to the other recent settlements, particularly given the massive breaches suffered by Ngāti Mutunga, including the entire confiscation of their tribal estate and the imprisonment of their people?
The quantum settlement for Ngāti Mutunga was consistent with previous settlements—that of Tainui, Ngāi Tahu, and other groups that have already settled.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. What the Minister gave as an answer was basically part of my question. I asked how the settlement was consistent with those other settlements, and I did not actually hear an answer.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
Can he confirm that the notion of a fiscal cap of $1 billion was actually abandoned well before the Labour-led Government came into office—under the National - New Zealand First coalition, from memory?
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Was the predetermined settlement figure to be offered by the Crown to Ngāti Mutunga altered in any way after the Crown accepted that the total land confiscated from Ngāti Mutunga was actually 150,000 acres and not 75,000 acres; if so, by what amount; if not, why not?