19 June 2002 Media Release

CFRT RESPONDS TO MĀORI AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE

The Crown Forestry Rental Trust has responded to allegations made against it during the course of the Māori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry.

On 11 June, the Trust provided a comprehensive response, which fearlessly addressed all the issues raised in the submissions received by the Committee.  Trustees and Trust management hoped to talk to this submission at the final hearing to stress that CFRT welcomed the Inquiry as an important opportunity for putting our work in assisting Treaty claimants on the public record.

However, with the announcement of an early election and the rising of the House the final Māori Affairs Select Committee hearing of the Trust scheduled for 13 June was cancelled and the Inquiry was put on hold.

CFRT was heartened to see that up to 70 percent of inquiry submissions were strongly supportive of the Trust and the role it has, and continues to play in preparing Treaty claims for settlement.

The Trust believes that the Committee’s inquiry has assisted in focusing Government attention on the difficulties inherent within the entire Treaty settlement process.

These difficulties are responsible for the delays in settling forestry claims. The Trust is firm in its belief that the Committee’s deliberations can assist in creating the political will needed to expedite the return of Crown Forest Licensed Lands to their rightful owners.

CFRT is confident that the Māori Affairs Select Committee recognises that there are very complex issues surrounding the delays in settling Treaty claims, most, if not all, outside of the scope and influence of the Trust.