August 2005 Newsletter

Haere mai, Welcome - August 2005

Chief Executive

Tena koutou

The general election is now less than 3 weeks away and Maori policy and the issue of Treaty settlements generally have become the subject of some attention, with each of the major parties releasing their policies on Treaty settlement. Most of the parties are talking of the need to establish hard deadlines for the completion of the claims process.

National Party policy is to have all claims lodged by 2006 with the intention of having all claims settled by 2010. Labour has proposed a final lodging date of 2008 with the intention of having all claims settled by 2020. New Zealand First proposes replacing the Waitangi Tribunal with a Waitangi Commission, and setting a date of 2015 to have all claims settled. ACT has pledged to ensure that all cases before the Waitangi Tribunal are heard and determined by 2008. The Green Party has not promoted any deadlines but supports increased resources for the Waitangi Tribunal.

It is clear that Treaty settlement remains a key issue for the political parties.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Waitangi Tribunal, the 15th anniversary of CFRT and the 10th anniversary of the Office of Treaty Settlements. The current focus on the process offers a good opportunity for constructive debate about what the settlement process really means for Maori and New Zealand as a whole. 

CFRT is hopeful that the current focus on the process can give rise to constructive and realistic solutions for increasing the pace of Treaty settlements at a rate acceptable to both Maori and the Crown. CFRT will be monitoring this area of policy development closely.

Heoi ano

Ben Dalton

Turanganui a Kiwa Mandate Recognised

On 17 August the Office of Treaty Settlements formally recognised the mandate of Te Pou a Haokai Central Progression Team to represent the interests of Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whanau a Kai and Ngariki Kaiputahi. The mandate has been recognised following a public process designed to inform iwi membership about the claims and how they intend to progress towards settlement. 

This is a significant step forward for the group, who completed an intensive Waitangi Tribunal hearings process in June 2002 before approaching the Office of Treaty Settlements to discuss negotiating a settlement of their historical claims.

Te Pou a Haokai will soon begin working with Office of Treaty Settlements representatives to develop Terms of Negotiations and move towards formal negotiations. CFRT acknowledges the hard work and leadership shown by Te Pou a Haokai representatives to reach this stage.

Other groups who have submitted mandates for consideration include Ngati Toa Rangatira and Kurahaupo ki te Waipounanmu Trust. Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga Trust are also preparing to seek a mandate from its membership. CNI groups, Ngati Manawa, Ngati Whare and Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa are also expected to reach an Agreement in Principle with the the Crown later in the year.

Young Maori Scientists Gather for Hui

On Friday 19 August CFRT held an information stall at the FRST Foundation Maori Science students wananga at Victoria University of Wellington. Approximately forty young Maori scientists attended the hui designed to encourage Maori to enter the scientific disciplines and to discuss some of the issues faced by Maori undertaking a scientific career.

A particular focus of the presentations was placed on the scientific research being carried out in the primary sectors - including forestry. SCION - the NZ Forest Research Institute responsible for research into plant based materials delivered an excellent presentation on the value that science can offer Maori involved in the forestry sector.

SCION offers skills and experience spanning the entire forestry value chain, from genetics and nursery technologies, through forest management and harvesting, and the development of new products and processes, to the trade and marketing of wood-based products. SCION provides customised solutions to forest and wood-related problems, to both domestic and international clients, and has experiences in tailoring research projects to meet individual needs.

SCION understood that Maori had the potential to be a key stakeholder in New Zealand's future forestry industry through the Treaty Settlement process. SCION encouraged iwi to understand how science could be used to support their forestry aspirations for the future. A key issue thrown up by each of the presenters was the need to understand how to work with Maori communities when dealing with scientific matters such as genetic research.

CFRT Relationship Manager, Nigel Hadfield found much to discuss with conference participants who were interested in the role of Crown Forestry Rental Trust.

Federation of Maori Authorities AGM and Conference - 14-16 October, Duxton Hotel, Wellington