Deadlines Only Part Of The Solution - What About Those With Their Noses In The Trough?

Setting concrete deadlines to lodge claims for Treaty of Waitangi settlements will fail without a fundamental restructuring of the highly politicised Waitangi Tribunal and the removal of divisive reference to the so-called ‘principles of the Treaty’, says Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“The notion that claims can be resolved more quickly simply by setting a deadline is duplicitous and dishonest, when Labour knows that the major roadblock to settling claims are the self interested and politicised actions of the Waitangi Tribunal.

“This Tribunal has become sidetracked by ludicrous Treaty claims based on these so-called ‘principles’ with everything from the airwaves through outer space being considered,” said Mr Peters.

“Get rid of the nonsense claims and the legitimate ones will progress faster.

“New Zealand First’s policy of dismantling the Waitangi Tribunal and starting a true Commission of Enquiry is the only way for rapid progress to be made on this issue. The conflict of interest in the roles of Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court acting as the Chairman of the Tribunal must also be removed.

“Future government’s must also tackle the vexatious issue of the Crown Forestry Rental Trust and other players with their noses in the Treaty trough for this issue to be resolved.

“Only New Zealand First has the courage to make these tough calls and we will be setting things right following the election. That is why we are the choice for change when it come to Treaty issues,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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