MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti

MEDIA STATEMENT
30 March 2016

Labour's Māori MPs support UN Land Law action

An appeal to the United Nations to stop the Government’s Māori land law reforms shows the depth of concern throughout the country about these proposed changes, says Labour’s Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri.

“Top brass Māori representatives are seeking solutions from the UN’s indigenous rights group because they’re frustrated with the rushed reforms being pushed by the Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell.

“This is the next legal step for the claimants who fear the Government isn’t listening to Māori land owners.

“The Waitangi Tribunal recently found that the Crown would be in breach of basic Treaty principles if it introduced the Bill.

“Reaching out for international intervention is another indictment on the Minister’s management of his portfolio. This process has been nothing but woeful.

“Ikaroa-Rāwhiti contains more than a quarter of all Māori land and land owners in my electorate are not happy with how the Minister continues to ignore their concerns and rush these changes.

“The Minister can’t, in good conscience, introduce his Bill this month as planned,” says Meka Whaitiri.

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