Dr Wayne Mapp MP
National Party Treaty of Waitangi & Constitutional Issues Spokesman

11 June 2004

Labour admits defeat in Treaty settlement process

"All New Zealanders will be alarmed by Labour's concession of defeat on the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process," says National Party Treaty of Waitangi and Constitutional Issues spokesman Wayne Mapp.

"Margaret Wilson has finally admitted that she has no idea when the Treaty settlement process will be brought to a final conclusion."

Dr Mapp is responding to a statement by the Minister this afternoon in which she says 'my best estimate is that within 10 to 15 years the vast majority of historical Treaty claims will be settled.'

"It's clear from that remark that Labour has no sense of urgency, no time frame for claims - and no intention of setting one," says Dr Mapp.

"New Zealanders want this issue dealt with decisively. They want fair and just settlements sooner rather than later, and they want the country to be able to move forward.

"It just goes to show how out of touch Margaret Wilson is, when she is prepared to make New Zealanders wait 10 to 15 years for the 'vast majority' of claims to be settled.

"Clearly she's signalling that will still not be the end of the process.

"If Margaret Wilson believes that provides any comfort to anyone, she is sadly mistaken.

"By rejecting National's call to accelerate and conclude the process, she is ignoring the will of most New Zealanders and Labour will be held to account for that," says Dr Mapp.

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