31 July 2014

Government must compensate iwi to maintain value of settlements

Māori Party candidate Chris McKenzie says the Government must compensate tribes for the devaluation of their assets under the treaty settlements.

Māori are bearing the huge costs as a result of reflagging Foreign Charter Vessels and may abandon fishing some of their fish quota as a result of the Foreign Charter Vessels legislations,” says Te Tai Hauāuru Māori Party candidate Chris McKenzie.

“The Māori Party absolutely agrees that cheap foreign labour must be abandoned and vessels operating in New Zealand waters should abide by our health, safety and employment laws. But this is a double edged sword. As a consequence the value of their fishing stock granted under the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Settlement will now be vastly reduced. What compensation will the tribes receive for the devaluation of their fishing stocks?”

“The same situation has been created for those tribes with forestry assets gained through the treaty settlements process. Tribes are continuing to lose money on their forestry settlements due to the influx of foreign carbon credits allowed by the government which eats away at the redress provided. Some tribes are facing multi-million dollar losses by rules imposed on them overnight by successive governments that erode the good faith that the settlements were negotiated in.”

My own tribe, Raukawa, negotiated carbon credits worth $23.00 each and are actively involved in mitigating carbon emmissions. But these credits are now only worth around $3.00 due to crown actions.”

“We must not create new treaty grievances by ignoring losses that iwi are experiencing in the fishing and forestry industries. That is not a partnership, that was not what Te Tai Hauāuru iwi signed up to and that is definitely not in line with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi,” says Mr McKenzie.

ENDS

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