Meka Whaitiri
MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti

MEDIA STATEMENT

11 April 2016

New claims lodged opposing Māori land reforms

New Waitangi Tribunal claims objecting to the Crown’s proposed Maori land reforms are further evidence of the lack of support for the changes, says Labour’s Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri.

“Further claims were lodged with the Tribunal last week. In the last month alone there has been a scathing Waitangi Tribunal report, top-brass Māori claimants appealing to the United Nation’s indigenous rights group and now more claimants seeking an urgent hearing.

“They want their issues addressed and the Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell has failed to respond.

“The Waitangi Tribunal has already identified a number of issues with the Bill, slammed the consultation process and found that basic Treaty principles would be breached if the Crown introduced this legislation.

“The Minister promised to give his full consideration to the Tribunal’s report before introducing his Bill.

“But more claims and no response from the Minister indicate he’s determined to push on with the disastrous and ill-formed Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill.

“The Minister needs to accept that Māori don’t support these reforms.

“If he is to keep his word, he needs to address each of the Tribunal’s recommendations before proceeding any further,” says Meka Whaitiri.

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