9. PAUL QUINN (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
What recent progress has the Government made towards its goal of settling historical Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
Last Sunday the Crown signed terms of negotiation with Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā at Pōhara Marae. Between the start of last year and June this year, the Crown has reached over 30 significant settlement milestones, including 14 agreements in principle and six deeds of settlement. This represents great progress, especially compared with the previous administration’s average of 1.6 deeds of settlement each year.
What support did Budget 2010 provide to help achieve the Government’s goal of settling historical Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
This year’s Budget provided an extra $6.5 million over the next 3 years to help achieve the Government’s goal of settling historical Treaty claims by 2014. This extra funding comes on top of the additional $22.2 million in last year’s Budget, and illustrates the Government’s commitment to accelerating Treaty settlements.
David GarrettWill the settling of claims to customary title over parts of the foreshore and seabed under the Government’s proposed legislation impact in any way, shape, or form on Treaty claims; if so, in what precise way?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
That question raises a number of points. First, I have made it clear on a number of occasions that if an iwi has concluded a Treaty settlement, it will be able to come and talk to the Crown—for example, about extant customary rights it may claim—but the finality of its Treaty settlement will not be able to be challenged.
Will he be advising the Attorney-General that the foreshore and seabed legislation should specifically prohibit any holder of customary title from charging those who wish to enjoy customary recreations, such as fishing and swimming, for access to areas of the foreshore and seabed held under customary title; if not, why not?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
The Attorney-General and the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations exchange pleasantries all the time, and I imagine that the issue of the—
Hon Trevor Mallard
Mr SPEAKERBefore I call the honourable member, I say that it will lead to disorder if members use an open microphone to make unhelpful comments across House. I recognise that it was done in response to a fairly unhelpful interjection, but these things tend to lead to disorder.
My question was carefully worded, and it asked whether the Minister would be advising the Attorney-General with regard to the content of legislation. The answer I got was related to social intercourse between himself and that Minister, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the question.
I accept the point the member is making in that I believe the Minister, in answering the question, was probably a bit sidetracked by the interjection. I think it was a serious question that the member asked, and I ask the Minister whether he could answer beyond just whether he talks to himself.
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
Yes, there will be discussion between the Office of Treaty Settlements and the Ministry of Justice. I can assure the member that what I said yesterday was right in that there is no question regarding access to the foreshore and seabed. He need not have any worry about that issue.