14 March 2016

Minister must delay land reforms

The Minister of Maori Development must publicly commit to delaying the introduction of Maori land reforms until the findings of the Waitangi Tribunal are properly addressed, says Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti Meka Whaitiri.

“The Waitangi Tribunal’s findings show that all Maori landowners will be disadvantaged if the Bill proceeds in its current form.

“It also found the Crown will be in breach of Treaty of Waitangi principles if it does not have a proper mandate from Maori.

“The entire reform process has been woeful and the Tribunal found the consultation hui breached legal standards.

“There’s no way Te Ururoa Flavell can introduce the Bill this month as it’s obviously detrimental to Maori development. Questions need to be asked about why the Minister continues to ignore the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations to better inform people.

“If the Minister’s going to keep his word and give the report full consideration, he should do the right thing by his people and immediately commit to delaying the introduction of his Bill, says Meka Whaitiri.

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