No Assurances for Maori From Flavell

New Zealand First has real concern for Iwi Māori currently negotiating Treaty settlements following comments by Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell in Parliament today.

“The Minister could not give any assurances to Iwi that the standard settlement provision of right-of-first-refusal would be honoured in Treaty settlements under the National led government, which he is part of,” says Māori Affairs Spokesperson Pita Paraone.

“Invoking the rationale of Pontius Pilate, Minister Flavell washed his hands of all responsibility, stating it is in the hands of other government ministers to ensure the government honours settlement provisions.

“Minister Flavell is supposed to be in charge of securing Māori interests. Ensuring that the rights of Māori are not bypassed by the Government should be of utmost priority.

“Why should Iwi trust the Minister anymore when he is allowing Treaty settlements to be rewritten while he and the Māori Party sit at the table of government?” says Mr Paraone.

ENDS

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