Annette Sykes
Co Vice-President
MANA
Thursday, 4 August 2011

Response to the Institutional Review

“Today’s announcement by the Crown regarding the membership of the Constitutional Advisory Panel marks the beginning of an ‘Institutional Review’ rather than a ‘Constitutional Review’” remarks the Co Vice-President of MANA Annette Sykes. “The Maori Party has known for some time now that the Terms of Reference will severely limit the application of the Treaty of Waitangi in a constitutional sense. I feel for those members who will hear submissions from our people only to be told that they cannot be seriously considered because of the limitations of the review”.

“The only issues that will be explored by this panel will be what the term of office should be for the Government, the size of the electorates and whether or not there should be more Treaty provisions within future legislation. The parameters of the review stipulate that rather than recognising the Treaty of Waitangi as this country’s constitution, the Crown would much rather tinker with what already exists, a system that was forced upon our people and gives Maori no voice as was envisaged under the Treaty. Our people will have certain expectations that will not be met due to the ‘institutional’ nature of the review”.

“I would much rather our people engage with the Independent Constitutional Working Group – Aotearoa Matike Mai, being led by the most prominent Maori expert on constitutional matters, Moana Jackson. That process is Maori-led and will be able to fully explore the true potential of the Treaty of Waitangi as our country’s constitution. MANA will encourage people to participate in hui that will be held around the country by the Independent Constitutional Working Group, rather than being disappointed because of the limitations of the Crown’s process”.

ENDS

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