12. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Kua whiwhi i a ia he ripoata e pā ana ki ngā whiriwhiringa o te Kotahitanga o Tāmaki Makaurau me Te Hiku o te Ika?
[Has he received any reports regarding the negotiations involving the Tāmaki Makaurau collective and Te Hiku o te Ika?]
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
Yes. I have seen numerous reports about the agreements in principle signed with the five iwi of the Te Hiku Forum on 15 January. These reports are focused on progress in the area and the economic benefits likely to result from the settlements. I very much want to acknowledge the assistance given to me and to the iwi by Hone Harawira. He did a great job. I have also seen reports about the Crown’s offer to the Tāmaki collective that noted that the Crown had made a breakthrough in the tangle of overlapping interests in the region, which were highlighted by the Waitangi Tribunal’s 2007 report. Tomorrow the Minister of Māori Affairs and I will be signing agreements in principle with the Tāmaki collective, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, and Te Kawerau-a-Maki. I acknowledge the great help I have received from Dr Sharples in this regard.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Na te aha i tatū ai ngā tono a Te Hiku o te Ika, mai i te wā tuatahi i tukuna tō rātou tono, ā, e 23 tau rātou e pukukaha ana kia tatū aua tono?
[In the case of Te Hiku o te Ika, what factors are responsible for this Government being able to achieve the breakthrough towards reaching a settlement after 23 years of hard work since claims were first lodged?]
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
There are a number of factors. First, I want to acknowledge the Chief Crown Negotiator, Pat Snedden, who has done a great job. Secondly, I want to acknowledge the leadership and vision of those iwi negotiators who have represented their people at the negotiating table for many, many years. Thirdly, we have trialled new ideas, an example of which is the pilot scheme that places public servants back in their iwi so that they can help their iwi with negotiations. I also have to say that a key factor has been the very positive contribution of the Māori Party.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
He aha tā ngā hapū o Ngāti Whātua me ngā iwi, arā, a Te Kawarau-a-Maki, a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, a Ngāti Te Ata, a Te Aki Tai, a Ngāti Tamaoho rātau ko Hauraki Marutuahu kia whakarauikahia rātau ki raro i te rōpū hou kua tapaina ko ngā Manawhenua o Tāmaki-makau-rau, ā, he aha ngā kōrero kua wānangahia e rāua ko te Minita mō ngā Kāwana ā-Rohe mō tēnei rōpū rangatira?
[What has been the response of various Ngāti Whātua groups—namely, Te Kawarau-a-Maki, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Tamaoho, and Hauraki Marutuahu people—to the establishment of a new collective body called Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki-makau-rau, and what discussions has he had with the Minister of Local Government about this special entity?]
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
I think there has been very good support for the establishment of the collective, and in my discussions with the iwi they have acknowledged that this is a vehicle that can really help them move ahead, after the years of division. I have also worked very closely with the local MP, Dr Sharples, in developing this proposal with Sir Douglas Graham, and his support has been invaluable.
Hon Shane JonesKa aha te Minita inā puta ngā hamumu me ngā whakahē mai i te hapori Pākehā ki te tīnihanga o te ingoa ki Te Oneroa a Tōhē mai i te Ninety Mile Beach?
[What will the Minister do if complaints and opposing views are made by the non-Māori sector of the community about the change of name from Ninety Mile Beach to Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē?]
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
The Minister will say to those people that public access is guaranteed, and that the very historical rights and interests of the local iwi need to be respected. If the member had turned up at Ahipara on 15 January—I was hoping he would, because I was looking forward to seeing him—we could have had that discussion.