Scoop  Politics

12 October 2006

Maori To Make Treaty Claim For British Pensions

The leader of Northland's Matarahurahu hapu, David Rankin, has announced that he will be lodging claim with the Waitangi Tribunal for his people to be entitled to British pensions on reaching retirement age.

Mr. Rankin claims that Article Three of the Treaty, which guarantees Maori 'the same rights and privileges as British subjects', entitles the Matarahurahu people the right to this pension.

'I see this extending to other areas as well', says Mr. Rankin. We may expand the claim to include British passports, unemployment benefits, and other entitlements', he says.

The claim will be lodged at the end of October.

ENDS

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