‘Back-door Deals’ being negotiated between Government and former Labour MP, John Tamihere

16 February 2006

Member of Parliament for Waiariki,

Spokesperson on Treaty of Waitangi issues,

Te Ururoa Flavell

Waiariki MP, Te Ururoa Flavell, today tabled a document in Parliament, from Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngati Tamatera, which outlined the “interference” of the Minister of Maori Affairs in providing:

“political support (and we assume financial support) to Ngati Porou ki Hauraki for the purposes of usurping our rights and interests as tangata whenua”.

The letter described “the back-door deals” being negotiated with Ngati Porou ki Hauraki in relation to Ngati Tamatera interests in Tokatea and Mataora. The letter also raised questions about the involvement of the former Labour Associate Minister of Maori Affairs, John Tamihere.

“The Maori Party has had a long-standing concern about the damaging impact this legislation has had in creating divisions between hapu and iwi” stated Mr Flavell.

“The Foreshore and Seabed Fiasco has caused huge conflict for mana whenua, in setting up the potential for discord over the traditional customary rights and interests in dispute” said Mr Flavell.

“This latest information reinforces the urgent need to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act, which the Maori Party sets out to do this session”.

ENDS

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