NZ First’s Shane Jones, who is drafting a Member’s Bill to force a single Ngāpuhi settlement, said taxpayers had already spent “well beyond $20 million” and could not afford endless delays.
The bill would block smaller hapū-based deals and require one comprehensive agreement with the country’s largest iwi.
Goldsmith maintained a single commercial settlement was preferable but left the door open to multiple approaches. “We don’t want an unrealistic deadline,” he said, “but we also want to celebrate the bicentenary [of the Treaty] in 2040.”
Tensions have escalated over the government’s rejection of sovereignty clauses like the one Labour had included in a draft deed with Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. Goldsmith ruled them out, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis said groups seeking to “relitigate” the Crown’s sovereignty were “out of bounds.”
Far North leader Pita Tipene of Ngāti Hine responded by declaring his hapū would not settle under this government, effectively stalling negotiations. Labour MP Peeni Henare, also of Ngāti Hine descent, called Jones’ approach a “dismal failure,” warning that “you can’t force Ngāpuhi to the table” through legislation.
Willis said iwi like Ngāi Tahu and Tainui had shown the benefits of settlement, and it was “sad” that Ngāpuhi was missing out. “The people of the north… could really do with that capital injection.”
Read more over at NewstalkZB
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
Goldsmith maintained a single commercial settlement was preferable but left the door open to multiple approaches. “We don’t want an unrealistic deadline,” he said, “but we also want to celebrate the bicentenary [of the Treaty] in 2040.”
Tensions have escalated over the government’s rejection of sovereignty clauses like the one Labour had included in a draft deed with Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. Goldsmith ruled them out, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis said groups seeking to “relitigate” the Crown’s sovereignty were “out of bounds.”
Far North leader Pita Tipene of Ngāti Hine responded by declaring his hapū would not settle under this government, effectively stalling negotiations. Labour MP Peeni Henare, also of Ngāti Hine descent, called Jones’ approach a “dismal failure,” warning that “you can’t force Ngāpuhi to the table” through legislation.
Willis said iwi like Ngāi Tahu and Tainui had shown the benefits of settlement, and it was “sad” that Ngāpuhi was missing out. “The people of the north… could really do with that capital injection.”
Read more over at NewstalkZB
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
6 comments:
I for one have had an absolute guts-full of this. Time to run it like a Dutch auction. Start at, say, $500M 1st July, on 1st August it drops to $450M, then $400M in September - until is reaches ZERO. And no tax payer funding for Iwi lawyers. It is time for Northland to sort itself out so that the deserving non-elite Maori can get the support that they deserve.
But the people of the North will not benefit one iota. Look at the poor Maori in Huntley and Ngāruawāhia. The Tainui elite don’t lift a finger.
“The people of the north… could really do with that capital injection.” I'm a person of the North but don't think they mean me! There is no need for a settlement, wrap up the Tribunal, end the Maori seats in parliament and council wards, all totally unwarranted and an utter waste of taxpayer funds.
I would have thought that Ngapuhi are the ones who need to give compensation rather than receive it, given the behavior of Hongi Hiki and all the thousands of other thugs from that tribe.
I suggest the government just leave them alone. If they don't want to settle, why force the issue? Any "settlement" will never be final anyway.
Good idea, I like Dutch auctions but still question why the should get even one cent, they had it all in free lunches!
and do not forget that Tama Potaka is associated with Tainui. He has worked as the general manager for corporate services at Tainui Group Holdings in Hamilton and has also been a senior advisor to the NZ Super Fund. Additionally, he has strong affiliations to Waikato-Tainui and played a significant role in Waikato-Tainui developments in Hamilton. Hey, nice suit Tama!
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