Maori Party Calls for Results of Landcorp Review to be released
The Prime Minister’s admission that the Government has had to be “very sensitive to where there are historical, recreational, conservation Treaty settlement issues related around Landcorp properties" has been welcomed as a sign of the success of iwi actions in upholding the rangatiratanga of their land said the Maori Party today.
“We were pleased to learn of the Prime Minister’s comments at her weekly press conference” said Dr Sharples, Co-leader of the Maori Party. "These are huge issues for tangata whenua, and all eyes will be on the final report".
“The Maori Party has been a strong advocate for the concerns raised by Hauraki, the Tainui waka alliance, Ngati Kahu, Tuwharetoa, the Maori Council and other iwi – protesting against the sale of land by Landcorp” said Dr Sharples.
“This issue has been going on for some time - we first raised these issues with the Government back in March 2006” said Dr Sharples.
“Member for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell raised the profile of the Taurewa land blocks with the SOE Minister, who had agreed to review the proposed sale by LandCorp” said Dr Sharples.
“Less than 12 months later, we called again for intervention to prevent the sale of a $10m block of prime Coromandel land (Whenuakite) – land which should have been the subject of negotiation with the Hauraki Maori Trust Board” said Dr Sharples.
“At about the same time, Hone Harawira was supporting the call from Ngati Kahu who had repossessed Rangiputa Station (Karikari Peninsula) in protest at Landcorp’s proposal to sell their land” said Dr Sharples.
“Although we are obviously eager to see the fine print, the hint made by the Prime Minister yesterday that the Government appears to have realised the error of their ways, is obviously a sign of real progress” said Dr Sharples.
“The Maori Party has been responding to the call from iwi throughout Aotearoa, to address the mis-management of lands, the flawed agency processes, the bumbling of OTS, Landcorp and their Ministers, it seems, forever and a day” said Dr Sharples.
“It is great to know that the independent voice of Maori is being heard” ended Dr Sharples. “Tangata whenua are keen to see the final report, as soon as possible”.
Background
The Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Trevor Mallard, confirmed on 19 April 2007, that the review of Crown land disposal would be reported back to Cabinet by the end of July 2007. It has been signalled that the Minister will release the final report within the next week.
See original statement describing the background to the review, attached below.
Maori Party Acknowledges Iwi in Achieving
Government Backdown Regarding Landcorp Sales
Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori Party Spokesperson for Treaty Negotiations
Wednesday 28 February 2007
The Maori Party has acknowledged the commitment of tangata whenua in promoting the rights of mana whenua as the basis for land management policies.
“The announcement this afternoon, that the Government has made a historic intervention in putting Landcorp sales on hold is a mighty victory for iwi” said Te Ururoa Flavell, Treaty Spokesperson for the Maori Party.
The announcement came after an intense fortnight of questions from the Maori Party, in which responses from Minister Burton were eventually contradicted by statements by Landcorp Chair, former Labour MP, Jim Sutton. The activity in the House resulted in revelations from Mr Sutton that Landcorp had not been properly apprised of Treaty claims relating to Hauraki.
“We are pleased that the Government has stepped up to the mark, and will review the policy around the processes undertaken by Landcorp” said Mr Flavell.
“I commend the Minister of State Owned Enterprises in taking this matter seriously, and recognising the obvious inconsistencies and uncertainties that have arisen”.
“We have been in close contact with Ngati Kahu, with Tuwharetoa, with Hauraki and other iwi and hapu who have raised ongoing concerns about Landcorp and OTS’ management of the lands in question” said Mr Flavell.
“We commend the iwi in their persistence in the pursuit of justice; and we encourage all other hapu and iwi, to continue in their call for justice to be seen to be done” said Mr Flavell.
“We will be very happy to work with the Government on the policy review” ended Mr Flavell.
"The iwi involved have thought long and hard about the best course of action to take, to ensure their concerns are taken seriously" said Mr Flavell.
"Indeed, I recall Professor Margaret Mutu saying that Ngati Kahu had been "very patient for ten years. No one else would have allowed this to go on as long as it has"" said Mr Flavell.
"I want to really acknowledge the responsible way in which iwi have exercised their rangatiratanga rights" said Mr Flavell. "All in all, today's outcome, is a very positive step, and we are hopeful that all parties –of course, iwi included - will be able to participate in the review process".