Treaty specialist describes claim as “trivial”

Treaty specialist describes claim as “trivial” Treaty of Waitangi historian Professor Paul Moon has described a recent Treaty claim against the Maori King as “trivial and ultimately pointless”.

The claim was lodged by Matarahurahu leader David Rankin, and seeks to put an end to the Government using the term ‘Maori King” in reference to the Tainui leader Tuheitia, on the basis that it violates the sovereignty of other tribes.

“The existence of the King Movement does nothing to lessen the sovereignty of any other iwi” says Dr Moon. “On the contrary, at several times in history, the King Movement has been a bastion of Maori sovereignty that some other iwi have looked to for encouragement”

Dr. Moon argued that like any institution, there will be some periods that are more trying than others. However, the fact that the King Movement has survived since the middle of the nineteenth century, and continues to hold the respect of Maori from across the country, indicates that it is a worthy institution and holds no threat for any other iwi.

“This claim seems to me to be a case of tribal chauvinism,” says Dr. Moon, “and on that basis, we need to ask how will anyone benefit from it?”

As for the chances of the claim, Dr. Moon said they were slim, mainly because it is unlikely to reach the threshold of “prejudicial effect” which is a requirement for all claims before they proceed to the hearing stage.

ends

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