Don Brash’s ignorance is offensive
28 January 2003 Media Statement
Don Brash’s ignorance is offensive
Treaty negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson says Don Brash’s claim that the settlement process has slowed is demonstrably incorrect – settlements are progressing at an unprecedented rate.
“It is not a trickle, it is a river.”
“Settlements help to heal real grievances. They put cultural and financial investment into often poor, rural communities. This will not only strengthen tribes, but also their communities and New Zealand as a whole.”
“The ignorance of Mr Brash’s comments is offensive. Using racial divisiveness will never accelerate the settlement process. This takes good will, on all sides.”
Over a decade, National negotiated three
settlements - Ngai Tahu, Tainui and fisheries, as well as
several very small and non-comprehensive
settlements.
Since National lost power in 1999,
comprehensive settlements have been reached with the
following tribes:
Te Uri o Hau (North Kaipara)
Ngati
Ruanui (South Taranaki)
Ngati Tama (North
Taranaki)
Ngati Awa (Bay of Plenty)
Ngati Tuwharetoa
ki Kawerau (Bay of Plenty)
Ngaa Rauru (South
Taranaki)
Other settlements are close:
A fourth
Taranaki settlement, with Ngati Mutunga.
Te Arawa Maori
Trust Board have accepted in principle an offer to settle
claims over the Rotorua lakes.
Others are midst
negotiations, including:
Whanganui iwi (claims over the
Whanganui River)
Ngati Whatua o Orekei (Auckland)
Te
Rarawa (Far North)
Ngati Kahu (Far North)
Others are preparing to enter negotiations:
Taranaki whanui ki te
Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)
Moriori
(Chathams)
Central North Island iwi, including the large
iwi confederations of Ngati Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa, as well
as Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare.
Ngati Apa
(Rangitikei)
In total the Office of Treaty Settlements is now engaged with about 25 different groups, evidence of the desire by the Crown and by Maori to progress.
ENDS