Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

23 November 2004

National congratulates Doug Kidd

National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee is congratulating Doug Kidd on his appointment to the Waitangi Tribunal. “Doug Kidd is a New Zealander who has always understood that Treaty issues can’t be swept under the carpet, that they’re real and if we want to make progress they have to be dealt with.

“He has the experience to identify and deal with bogus and extravagant claims much more swiftly than has been demonstrated by the current Tribunal.

“However all observers must remember that no matter what the Tribunal recommends it is the Government of the day that negotiates the final deal with Maori. “National has set realistic deadlines for the lodging and settling of Treaty claims. National requires all claims to be lodged by 2006 and to be settled, fully and finally, by 2010,” says Mr Brownlee.

ENDS

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