Hapu Party issues shock Treaty policy

The new Maori-based political party launched last month – the Hapu Party – has released a further policy in the lead-up to the General Election.

This morning, the party's leader, David Rankin, announced the party's Treaty policy. In addition to promising more funding for the Tribunal, he said that the Hapy Party would change the law to allow Treaty claims on private land.

When asked the reason for this policy – which could threaten the homes of an estimated 68,000 New Zealanders – Mr. Rankin said that "when you are in receipt of stolen property, even if you bought it in good faith, the law states you have to return that property. We want the same legal principle applied to Maori".

Mr. Rankin says the current law is racist, because it bans Maori from having their stolen property returned to them, even when the theft is proven.

"We have a situation where there are now two justice systems – one of which is for the benefit of Pakeha, and other, which is used to deny Maori natural justice".

When asked about the possible backlash to such a policy, Mr. Rankin responded: "why should anyone be fearful of the law and of justice? What sort of person wants to deny justice?".

Mr. Rankin has taught at Unitec Institute of Technology, and is a descendent of the family of the famous Ngapuhi chief Hone Heke.

ENDS

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