In 2017, Davis was appointed Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, thus becoming Jacinda’s understudy. There was plenty of speculation that this appointment was just tokenism but I believe it more probable it was at the behest of the powerful Maori Caucus. Because Kelvin never gave any displays of being the sharpest knife in the drawer!
So why am I wanting to resuscitate Kelvin?
Because Kelvin was the first Minister of Maori – Crown Relations.
And because that title conferred oversight on the newly minted Office for Maori Crown Relations. And that office has effected a huge influence on our governance and democracy!
To establish and formulate plans for the operation of the Office of Maori-Crown Relations, Kelvin held 20 hui with Maori in centres across the country in 2018.
After considerable input and collaboration with iwi leaders, the Office for Maori Crown Relations was established in 2019, primarily to drive the fabricated Treaty partnership agenda.
From Kelvins subsequent report to government, it’s noteworthy PARTNERSHIP was a paramount theme.
A line from Kelvin’s report reads “…. the Crown/Māori relationship is underpinned and guided by the Treaty of Waitangi, which set up a partnership of equals.” Further “… the partnership needs to be honoured by the Crown.”
Interestingly the report also stated “…the Crown needs to ensure all New Zealanders are brought into the Crown/Māori relationship if it is to be successful.”
We all know New Zealanders were certainly not brought into Crown/Māori relationship moves by Ardern’s Labour government!
Kelvin was furnished with a budget of $450 million and 189 staff. All to be employed in embedding Maori-Crown partnerships within the public and private sectors!
They gleefully reported 37 Public Service Chief Executives and staff had undergone cultural indoctrination; State Sector guidelines had been developed for incorporating the Treaty into legislation; and direct Treaty advice had been provided on 22 Bills and 214 Cabinet papers.
In their 2023 Annual Report Office for Maori Crown Relations outlined their goal: “Guide the Crown, as a Treaty partner, across the bridge into te ao Māori and facilitate Māori interactions with the Crown”. In other words, undermine democracy by embedding Treaty ‘partnership’ principles throughout the state sector and beyond.
What quietly and furtively became a focus for the Office of Maori-Crown Relations was the hugely significant, Marine and Coastal Area Act.
The Office of Maori-Crown Relations pledged to “fix” the claims process of the Marine and Coastal Area Act (MACA)! This “fix” was never intended to benefit all New Zealanders.
If successful, Maori would become the legal owners of virtually the entire coastline and Territorial Sea of New Zealand. This includes 10 million hectares of the richest natural resources in the country which Maori would own to the exclusion of all other New Zealanders.
So “thanks” Kelvin this is what you and your pet project have brought us to!
But truthfully, I am unable to lay the blame solely on Kelvins shoulders. This hugely consequential situation was brought about by the Marine and Coastal Area Act, introduced in 2011 by John Key’s National Government.
Another enormous appeasement manifestation by Key simply to satisfy the demands of their Maori Party coalition partner. Instead of the country’s foreshore and seabed being vested in the Crown on behalf of all New Zealanders, MACA meant the foreshore and seabed would become ‘public domain’ thus allowing Maori to seek title through the courts.
Key and his “Maori centric” Attorney General, Chris Findlayson assured the public that no more than 10% of New Zealand’s coastline would end up being controlled by Maori. Yeah, right John!!!
Intentionally?
Worryingly lowering the bar for claimants, not only are most claims likely to succeed now that tikanga would be a central consideration in the new law, “hold the specified area in accordance with tikanga”. And secondly, under 58(1)(b), they had to have “exclusively used and occupied the area without substantial interruption from 1840 to the present day.”
It needs to be widely understood that before changing the law, National launched a public review of the proposal. At that time Prime Minister Key assured New Zealanders that “if there was not wide support then the current law could remain in place.” But, low and behold, in spite of 91% of submissions opposing the law change, the National government rammed it through anyway, creating the debacle we face today. Wow, shades of Ardern’s and Hipkins governments there!
This restoration of customary rights has provided Māori groups the ability to apply for Customary Marine Title (CMT) by recognising that certain areas were held by them, “exclusively used and occupied the area…” and giving them influence over uses in those zones.
The current coalition Cabinet have finally seen the far-reaching and parlous ramifications of the MACA Act and have announced it was tightening up the Act and want to reverse the High Court judgments that have already awarded Māori customary rights over 280km of coastline.
Headed by Treaty Minister Paul Goldsmith, the government is pressing on with introducing a retrospective change affecting decisions in up to seven cases since July 2024 that awarded Maori customary title.
Officials have warned government “Actually overturning [Customary Marine Title] awards gives rise to a significant fiscal risk…” “…the Crown could face costs as high as $20 million as they would all need to be reheard.”
REHEARD! If High Court judges will rehear their decisions, judges that exhibited pro Maori leanings with their first judgements, what is going to change?
The announcement that the Act was being reframed and judgements reversed was akin to opening the flood gates as all, the “usual suspects” flung themselves at their laptops, posting their angst and anger!
“Te Pāti Māori was born from the uprising of our people against the Foreshore and Seabed Act; we will not stand by while this government wages the same attack on our people again” said Te Pāti Māori Co-leader, Rawiri Waititi. “…the Government are moving the goal posts to rig the game.” “This is not just shameful it is an absolute disgrace.”
“…no recognition of iwi who suffered land confiscations and who have been denied undisturbed access to their takutai moana since 1840. “Luxon and Goldsmith are rewriting the rules of justice to legitimise theft.”
Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris – The Government was playing with fire if it was serious about this proposal.” “There will be some fireworks ahead”
The Waitangi Tribunal found the bill to be a “gross breach” of Te Tiriti and said it would “significantly endanger the Māori-Crown relationship”.
Surprise, surprise. Finlayson has condemned the move calling it “foolish and saying it would “undermine” Parliament’s original intention and be “extremely harmful to race relations.”
Bugger it being “extremely harmful to race relations” Chris! What about being “extremely harmful” to public access to our beaches and loss of rights and control of our territorial waters?
Former MP Peter Dunne chimed in with “The Supreme Court had already made the law’s original intent clear and he did not know why the government wanted to make it “clear times two.”
Doh Peter! The Supreme Court had already made the law’s original intent clear…There’s your answer!
He added “It seems to me that that’s almost a way of saying ‘we want to make it tougher than was originally intended’ and I don’t think that’s correct or justifiable.”
Janice Panoho, Te Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (what ever that is) expressed her rancour with “The ongoing struggle over the foreshore and seabed is a stark reminder of the Crown’s historical and continuing disregard for Māori sovereignty and customary rights.” “It underscores the urgent need for genuine consultation and partnership with Iwi Māori, in line with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to ensure that Māori voices are heard and their rights respected,”
Today, this nightmare situation, a situation that could have huge ramifications for New Zealanders has become even more entangled legally, financially and thrown a spanner into Chris Luxons appeasement agenda for Māori.
Having sampled the taste of ownership, having almost secured that ownership only to have it snatched away with MACA being reframed and tightened, Maori are not going to simply walk away muttering to themselves!
So, hold onto your hats, we are in for a bumpy ride!
Public access to our beaches, use of and control of our territorial waters and ownership of the seabed is under profound threat!
So, what’s the good old Northland boy, the man who started the Office for Maori Crown Relations, doing with himself these days?
Kelvin has followed a well-worn path of ex MP’s into the world of consultancy and thrown in with Wellington based Te Amokura Consultants.
Te Amokura’s specialities are; strategy, communications, leadership, evaluation, policy, engagement and, of course, building Māori capability.
It seems Kelvins role will have an emphasis on work across the Tasman among indigenous groups looking for treaty-based arrangements. New Zealand’s loss could be Australia’s gain?
Kelvin stated he would “…be engaging with their First People’s Assembly which is sort of like our Iwi Chairs Forum here, listening to the progress they’ve made in Victoria, and there’s certainly a lot of things I’ve picked up in my time as a minister that is food for thought for them.”
Australians need watch out for the creation of an “Office of Aboriginal-Crown Relations”!
When establishing the Office for Maori Crown Relations in 2019, I bet Kelvin never imagined his reach would go so far!
Oh, and a postscript on the MACA legislation; Te Pāti Māori will repeal this legislation in their first 100 days!
Name me a greater reason not to vote for Labour next year!!!
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
So why am I wanting to resuscitate Kelvin?
Because Kelvin was the first Minister of Maori – Crown Relations.
And because that title conferred oversight on the newly minted Office for Maori Crown Relations. And that office has effected a huge influence on our governance and democracy!
To establish and formulate plans for the operation of the Office of Maori-Crown Relations, Kelvin held 20 hui with Maori in centres across the country in 2018.
After considerable input and collaboration with iwi leaders, the Office for Maori Crown Relations was established in 2019, primarily to drive the fabricated Treaty partnership agenda.
From Kelvins subsequent report to government, it’s noteworthy PARTNERSHIP was a paramount theme.
A line from Kelvin’s report reads “…. the Crown/Māori relationship is underpinned and guided by the Treaty of Waitangi, which set up a partnership of equals.” Further “… the partnership needs to be honoured by the Crown.”
Interestingly the report also stated “…the Crown needs to ensure all New Zealanders are brought into the Crown/Māori relationship if it is to be successful.”
We all know New Zealanders were certainly not brought into Crown/Māori relationship moves by Ardern’s Labour government!
Kelvin was furnished with a budget of $450 million and 189 staff. All to be employed in embedding Maori-Crown partnerships within the public and private sectors!
They gleefully reported 37 Public Service Chief Executives and staff had undergone cultural indoctrination; State Sector guidelines had been developed for incorporating the Treaty into legislation; and direct Treaty advice had been provided on 22 Bills and 214 Cabinet papers.
In their 2023 Annual Report Office for Maori Crown Relations outlined their goal: “Guide the Crown, as a Treaty partner, across the bridge into te ao Māori and facilitate Māori interactions with the Crown”. In other words, undermine democracy by embedding Treaty ‘partnership’ principles throughout the state sector and beyond.
What quietly and furtively became a focus for the Office of Maori-Crown Relations was the hugely significant, Marine and Coastal Area Act.
The Office of Maori-Crown Relations pledged to “fix” the claims process of the Marine and Coastal Area Act (MACA)! This “fix” was never intended to benefit all New Zealanders.
If successful, Maori would become the legal owners of virtually the entire coastline and Territorial Sea of New Zealand. This includes 10 million hectares of the richest natural resources in the country which Maori would own to the exclusion of all other New Zealanders.
So “thanks” Kelvin this is what you and your pet project have brought us to!
But truthfully, I am unable to lay the blame solely on Kelvins shoulders. This hugely consequential situation was brought about by the Marine and Coastal Area Act, introduced in 2011 by John Key’s National Government.
Another enormous appeasement manifestation by Key simply to satisfy the demands of their Maori Party coalition partner. Instead of the country’s foreshore and seabed being vested in the Crown on behalf of all New Zealanders, MACA meant the foreshore and seabed would become ‘public domain’ thus allowing Maori to seek title through the courts.
Key and his “Maori centric” Attorney General, Chris Findlayson assured the public that no more than 10% of New Zealand’s coastline would end up being controlled by Maori. Yeah, right John!!!
Intentionally?
Worryingly lowering the bar for claimants, not only are most claims likely to succeed now that tikanga would be a central consideration in the new law, “hold the specified area in accordance with tikanga”. And secondly, under 58(1)(b), they had to have “exclusively used and occupied the area without substantial interruption from 1840 to the present day.”
It needs to be widely understood that before changing the law, National launched a public review of the proposal. At that time Prime Minister Key assured New Zealanders that “if there was not wide support then the current law could remain in place.” But, low and behold, in spite of 91% of submissions opposing the law change, the National government rammed it through anyway, creating the debacle we face today. Wow, shades of Ardern’s and Hipkins governments there!
This restoration of customary rights has provided Māori groups the ability to apply for Customary Marine Title (CMT) by recognising that certain areas were held by them, “exclusively used and occupied the area…” and giving them influence over uses in those zones.
The current coalition Cabinet have finally seen the far-reaching and parlous ramifications of the MACA Act and have announced it was tightening up the Act and want to reverse the High Court judgments that have already awarded Māori customary rights over 280km of coastline.
Headed by Treaty Minister Paul Goldsmith, the government is pressing on with introducing a retrospective change affecting decisions in up to seven cases since July 2024 that awarded Maori customary title.
Officials have warned government “Actually overturning [Customary Marine Title] awards gives rise to a significant fiscal risk…” “…the Crown could face costs as high as $20 million as they would all need to be reheard.”
REHEARD! If High Court judges will rehear their decisions, judges that exhibited pro Maori leanings with their first judgements, what is going to change?
The announcement that the Act was being reframed and judgements reversed was akin to opening the flood gates as all, the “usual suspects” flung themselves at their laptops, posting their angst and anger!
“Te Pāti Māori was born from the uprising of our people against the Foreshore and Seabed Act; we will not stand by while this government wages the same attack on our people again” said Te Pāti Māori Co-leader, Rawiri Waititi. “…the Government are moving the goal posts to rig the game.” “This is not just shameful it is an absolute disgrace.”
“…no recognition of iwi who suffered land confiscations and who have been denied undisturbed access to their takutai moana since 1840. “Luxon and Goldsmith are rewriting the rules of justice to legitimise theft.”
Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris – The Government was playing with fire if it was serious about this proposal.” “There will be some fireworks ahead”
The Waitangi Tribunal found the bill to be a “gross breach” of Te Tiriti and said it would “significantly endanger the Māori-Crown relationship”.
Surprise, surprise. Finlayson has condemned the move calling it “foolish and saying it would “undermine” Parliament’s original intention and be “extremely harmful to race relations.”
Bugger it being “extremely harmful to race relations” Chris! What about being “extremely harmful” to public access to our beaches and loss of rights and control of our territorial waters?
Former MP Peter Dunne chimed in with “The Supreme Court had already made the law’s original intent clear and he did not know why the government wanted to make it “clear times two.”
Doh Peter! The Supreme Court had already made the law’s original intent clear…There’s your answer!
He added “It seems to me that that’s almost a way of saying ‘we want to make it tougher than was originally intended’ and I don’t think that’s correct or justifiable.”
Janice Panoho, Te Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (what ever that is) expressed her rancour with “The ongoing struggle over the foreshore and seabed is a stark reminder of the Crown’s historical and continuing disregard for Māori sovereignty and customary rights.” “It underscores the urgent need for genuine consultation and partnership with Iwi Māori, in line with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to ensure that Māori voices are heard and their rights respected,”
Today, this nightmare situation, a situation that could have huge ramifications for New Zealanders has become even more entangled legally, financially and thrown a spanner into Chris Luxons appeasement agenda for Māori.
Having sampled the taste of ownership, having almost secured that ownership only to have it snatched away with MACA being reframed and tightened, Maori are not going to simply walk away muttering to themselves!
So, hold onto your hats, we are in for a bumpy ride!
Public access to our beaches, use of and control of our territorial waters and ownership of the seabed is under profound threat!
So, what’s the good old Northland boy, the man who started the Office for Maori Crown Relations, doing with himself these days?
Kelvin has followed a well-worn path of ex MP’s into the world of consultancy and thrown in with Wellington based Te Amokura Consultants.
Te Amokura’s specialities are; strategy, communications, leadership, evaluation, policy, engagement and, of course, building Māori capability.
It seems Kelvins role will have an emphasis on work across the Tasman among indigenous groups looking for treaty-based arrangements. New Zealand’s loss could be Australia’s gain?
Kelvin stated he would “…be engaging with their First People’s Assembly which is sort of like our Iwi Chairs Forum here, listening to the progress they’ve made in Victoria, and there’s certainly a lot of things I’ve picked up in my time as a minister that is food for thought for them.”
Australians need watch out for the creation of an “Office of Aboriginal-Crown Relations”!
When establishing the Office for Maori Crown Relations in 2019, I bet Kelvin never imagined his reach would go so far!
Oh, and a postscript on the MACA legislation; Te Pāti Māori will repeal this legislation in their first 100 days!
Name me a greater reason not to vote for Labour next year!!!
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
3 comments:
There are only two parties in parliament who do not regard the Treaty of Waitangi as a partnership. Namely ACT and NZF. We need to ensure they have major coalition status at the next election. You can see that if the leaders(Luxons) heart is not up to dealing with this very important issue of race relations, then matters will only get worse. We are well into the parliamentary term and nothing substantive has happened.
Citizens do have power, it's called strategic voting. Change can happen if these 91% who keep voting for equality for all citizens , actually take meaningful action.
A bucket load of truth ...
Met Kelvin on Kaitaia flight once when he was still an MP. Surprised he could get on the plane, his ego was so big. However, he certainly wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree, and took offence easily. Certainly a puppet, rather than a puppet master.
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