8. Hon SHANE JONES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
Have recent events at Taipā had an impact on the progress of the Muriwhenua Treaty of Waitangi land claims settlements?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) Link to this
No, and I certainly hope that they will not have any impact. As the member knows, the iwi of the Muriwhenua have been seeking settlements for some time. Huge issues need to be dealt with. An agreement in principle was signed at Āhipara on 15 January, and great progress has been made towards a deed of settlement with those iwi. I certainly hope that the unfortunate events of recent days will not get in the way of just and durable settlements for those people up there.
Is there a precedent for local government and the Crown collaborating to effect the return of reserve lands to tangata whenua, and is he willing to explore such an option as it pertains to the Taipā reserve lands?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
There are precedents for that kind of innovation. There is no reason why people cannot approach the Crown on those issues, but there are ways of doing things and ways of not doing things. Illegal occupation of that land is not an appropriate way of dealing with matters.
What does the Minister say to the far north community that has watched the abandonment of the local sailing club regatta and the cancellation of annual fishing competitions because of fear associated with this land occupation, connected with obviously troubled Treaty negotiations?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
In answer to the last point I say that the negotiations are not troubled; very good progress has been made. I say to those people that they have every right to be upset and disappointed. The selfish actions of a few have harmed the legitimate activities of the entire community, and those groups have every right to feel frustrated and disappointed.
When he told the Taipā protesters, who are nephews to Hone Harawira, to go to hell, what directions did he have in mind and whom did he think they might meet there?
Based on that answer, are we now to consider this Minister to be the “Black Prince” amongst Māori Treaty negotiations?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
I certainly hope not. The phrase is a figurative phrase. It expressed my frustration that after all the good work that had been done by the negotiators of Ngāi Takoto, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, and Te Aupōuri, we have had what Harold Macmillan would have called a little local difficulty, which is getting in the way of deeds of settlement being signed so that just and durable settlements can finally be entered into—a hope of the late Mat Rata from over 20 years ago.