4. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
What recent progress has been made on Treaty of Waitangi settlements?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
Very good progress has been made. On Sunday an agreement in principle was signed with Waikato-Tainui relating to the tribe’s Waikato River claim. Last week an agreement was signed in principle with the Port Nicholson Block Claims Team to settle all outstanding historical claims of Taranaki Whānui (Wellington). The way in which we settle historical grievances in a peaceful and constructive way is something we should be proud of as a nation.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
We have signed four agreements in principle in the last 6 months and we are due to sign another one this coming Saturday. Attempts are also being made to put together a comprehensive settlement to the central North Island forest claim. With each of these settlements we move forward, looking to the future to consolidate our gains, and take full advantage of our growing prosperity.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou. What formal negotiations took place with other Waikato River iwi who have significant rights to the Waikato River when the Crown was reaching agreement with Waikato-Tainui?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Waikato-Tainui negotiators led a process that covered all other iwi with claims to the Waikato River. Agreement was arrived at in terms of structures that involve those iwi at crucial levels of the proposals. One part of the river where Waikato-Tainui have pretty much exclusive claims is dealt with separately in the settlement, but all those other iwi have been involved in the process in recent weeks.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Does the Minister consider that those discussions are sufficient enough to protect the interests of other Waikato River iwi?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Yes, I do. There has been very broad agreement, involving a meeting that I was at, as well. Of course, if any residual issues remain, they can be dealt with through the ongoing negotiations towards the deed of settlement and then in the process of the bill proceeding through the House.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Is the Minister aware of any concerns from any other Waikato River iwi that they have not been adequately consulted with and that their interests have not been protected in the agreement in principle; if so, what would he consider they should do to address that?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Any iwi with remaining concerns certainly can approach myself directly as the Minister, or the two lead negotiators for Waikato-Tainui, Tuku Morgan and Lady Raihā Māhuta. But I would suggest that one must not keep looking for some extremely small dissident group. One can find such groups anywhere, whether in Pākehā or Māori, and they cannot stand in the way of the vast majority consenting to an agreed solution.