Category: Maori Issues
The case not only demonstrated that the Crown was unwilling to put tikanga on trial, but it also highlights how the growing use of tikanga in the legal system is distorting outcomes and undermining the principle of equal justice. In fact, when cultural assertions are used to override clear evidence and established legal standards, the Rule of Law itself is being undermined.
The Royal Commission argued that if MMP was adopted the Maori seats must be abolished: “In the form of Maori representation we have proposed for MMP, there would be no separate Maori constituency or list seats, no Maori roll, and no Maori option. All New Zealanders would vote in the same way for the party they wish to govern, and for a constituency MP.”
We have faith in the capacity of Maori to strive and succeed in work and politics on the same basis as everyone else. I believe in New Zealanders fair mindedness that a minority no longer needs this protection from the majority. That's why National-led Government will abolish the Maori seats.
In spite of claiming they are committed to equal rights and opposed to race-based law, the Coalition is not doing nearly enough to protect New Zealand from the threat of tribal rule. What they should be doing is removing the partnership doctrine – along with race and culture – entirely from the State sector...
DOC administers one-third of New Zealand’s landmass. This estate has been held by the Crown on behalf of all New Zealanders for conservation, recreation, and public benefit. Over the past three decades, however, DOC has increasingly transformed from a public-oriented agency into a mechanism for embedding tribal control, preferential access, and commercial opportunity.
To ensure the new planning system is coherent, democratic, and consistent with the Coalition Government’s commitments, all RMA‑related arrangements should be terminated - not only those negotiated with councils but those embedded in Treaty settlements as well. No race-based entitlements should be carried over to potentially subvert the new planning system.
The effects-based approach that relied on the discretion of planning staff had become captured by vested interest groups intent on advancing their own political agendas or lining their own pockets, and that includes Maori who have latched onto the financial advantages of the special status successive governments have granted them under the pretence of a Treaty partnership.
As we begin the final year of the Coalition’s first term of Government, it is instructive to look at the commitments they made when first elected. At that time the country faced significant challenges as a result of six years of mismanagement by Labour.
On behalf of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! I’d also like to thank you most sincerely for your ongoing interest in our work and contribution over the years.
Having seen the disastrous influence of UNDRIP in Canada, the continued existence of the He Puapua framework that Labour put in place to implement the Declaration in New Zealand represents an existential threat to our future. It's time that threat was removed.
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