Mike Butler: Mana Party wants commissioner to help distribute treaty settlement cash

Wealthy tribal corporations do not ensure tribal members benefit from settlements; therefore the Mana Party wants an independent Treaty of Waitangi Commission. Such a body would oversee the recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal, the party's first annual general meeting in Auckland over the weekend was told. (1)

Co-vice chair Annette Sykes told the meeting that the current Treaty settlement process does not lead to the distribution of benefits to the people from the tribal corporations. A commission would be independent of the government, and Maori would vote for a commissioner at the general election, who would act as an independent arbiter.

Frank Newman: National's worst nightmare

When prime minister Key returned home from smoodging and rubbing shoulders with the world’s royalty and social elite he found a very changed political landscape by brash acts to his right and left.

If National MPs are not worried, they should be. And they have only themselves to blame. Political arrogance has once again come at a price.