Chris Finlayson MP
National Party Treaty Negotiations Spokesman

23 August 2007

Govt admits to just one treaty claim in eight years

Labour has been forced into confessing it has only taken one Treaty of Waitangi claim from start to completion in the entire eight years its been in office, says National’s Treaty Negotiations spokesman, Chris Finlayson.

In Parliament today, Mark Burton conceded National’s calculations on the matter were correct and the $31 million Nga Rauru Kiitahi claim is the only one they’ve managed to take from initial negotiation to completion. Further exposing the lack of urgency Labour attaches to settling Treaty claims is that, even after the deed of settlement was signed, Nga Rauru Kiitahi had to wait 19 months for their settlement legislation to be passed.

The previous National Government, under the leadership of Treaty Negotiations Minister Sir Douglas Graham, began 18 negotiation processes with Maori and settled 10 of them. Another eight claims negotiated by National were finalised by the incoming Labour Government.

“Mark Burton can bluff and bluster all he likes, but the facts stand unopposed – Labour’s record of dealing with this issue is disgraceful, and its inaction is costing Maori millions of dollars in lost business opportunities.

“He should be ashamed that his Government, for whom Maori have traditionally voted, have let them down so abysmally.”

ENDS

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