The Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre, University of Waikato, argues for a Treaty partnership power sharing model over the marine and coastal estate. Continue reading

Auckland Council recently released a discussion document on developing ‘a water strategy to ensure a secure, sustainable, and healthy future for water in Auckland’ - Our Water Future: Auckland's water discussion. Continue reading

According to Dr Carwyn Jones, (Senior Law Lecturer, Victoria University), an even better realisation of the symbolism of ‘Aotearoa New Zealand’ would be to reflect the Treaty partnership in our constitutional arrangements. Dr Jones writes: Continue reading

The latest news, via Parliamentary Order Papers, is that the bill has been postponed until further notice. Canterbury local, John Bell, who is spearheading the public campaign against the bill, is asking everyone to write to National MPs urging them to ensure that the Bill is defeated at a First Reading. The more letters to that effect as possible, the better. A First Reading defeat would save us the trouble of flooding a Select Committee with submissions. Continue reading

The Waikato Regional Council’s draft submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Local Government Funding and Financing reveals that the implementation of Treaty of Waitangi settlements creates significant cost pressures for Council. The submission states that “the Council wishes to work with its iwi partners in partnership but notes that the costs to do so is significant to its ratepayers”. Continue reading

Ngai Tahu has requested to be involved in the Otago Regional Council policy-making committee. The council has voted to seek more information on the agreement before making a decision. Continue reading

The Healthy Rivers Wai Ora Plan Change 1 (PC1) is to give effect to the Treaty settlement to improve water quality in the region. It is aimed at addressing the water quality by imposing rules and restricting any change on land use in the rural sector over the next 10 years. However, controversial policies in the Plan, particularly policy 16, would allow iwi to develop land and change the land use when other landowners with similar land are denied. Continue reading

Further announcements from the Government are expected very soon about the makeup of the Sea Change Ministerial Advisory Committee. Continue reading

Last month we reported that an Auckland iwi, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Tribal Trust, had won a Supreme Court case giving it the right to re-apply for exclusive rights to conduct commercial operations on Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands. The iwi argued DOC didn't properly consider the issues relating to the Treaty of Waitangi when granting concessions for commercial activities, in particular the interpretation of section 4 of the Conservation Act, "to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi". Continue reading

‘The Treaty and its Times’, by Paul Moon and Peter Briggs, (Resource Books). Starting around 1800, this book moves to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and finishes with the Northland wars of 1845. You will find detail on how and why the Treaty was written, the robust debate around the signing, and its aftermath. An excellent reference book.