The Prime Minister has established a new Crown/Māori Relations portfolio, “to focus on the health of the Crown/Māori relationship now and over time”.  The Minister for Crown-Maori relations – Kelvin Davis – has been touring the country, seeking advice on what such a relationship should be post Treaty Settlements.  Throughout this consultation process the general public have been side lined, with most meetings held with the Maori community. Continue reading

Currently, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, on behalf of the Crown, is engaging with groups where the Crown had an existing commitment before 2017. The groups are: Continue reading

The Auckland Plan 2050, the long-term strategy for Auckland’s growth and development, and which provides a framework to inform decisions, has been adopted by Auckland Council. Continue reading

Further indication of how far Auckland Council is prepared to go to promote Maori interests is illustrated by the new memorial plaque on the Ports of Auckland frontage.  Despite documentary evidence to the contrary, Ports of Auckland has backed Ngati Whatua’s attempt to re write history - the truth be damned! Continue reading

In last month’s update we reported on the cost of iwi consent, under the RMA, being taken to a new level with the Lyttelton Port Company’s large payment to Ngai Tahu hapū of $675,000 over 25 years. This has already been topped - the Horowhenua District Council’s Chief Executive has agreed to provide at least $880,500 to Te Runanga o Raukawa provided it did not object to a wastewater scheme. See the Kapiti Independent news report here. Continue reading

Not only did the people of the Bay of Plenty run a very successful campaign to overturn race-based ward/s for the Western Bay of Plenty, but they also took the opportunity at a meeting held by Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, to voice their concerns on the issue of Maori influence over aspects of the Resource Management Act and other local government issues. Continue reading

The Nga Rohe Moana o Ngati Porou Bill (No 2) gives Ngati Porou two years to put in a claim for the recognition of customary marine title under the Marine and Coastal Area Act.  The iwi is seeking customary title and rights over the over a significant part of the East Coast coastline down to Gisborne. Continue reading

Challenging the lies and propaganda There is a need for all of us to challenge, as they arise, the growing number of baseless claims being touted as facts. NZCPR is a good source of information on the issues, by various authors, as is Kiwi Frontline. Continue reading

Members of the Democracy Action working group have been very busy alerting community groups and others to passages in the Auckland Plan 2050 that undermine the fundamental principles of democracy. (Auckland Plan 2050 is Auckland Council’s long term spatial plan for Auckland). Continue reading

Local Government NZ (LGNZ) is campaigning vigorously to abolish the sections the Local Electoral Act 2001 which relate to the rules for binding citizens initiated polls concerning the establishment of Maori wards. The members of National Council of LGNZ want its members to be able to impose Maori wards unchecked - thereby depriving members of local communities of an individual democratic right expressly written into law. For a comprehensive and well researched essay on this issue, please click HERE. This essay, authored by Michael Coote - a freelance writer and financial journalist - was published on the NZCPR website on 22nd April. Michael explains what LGNZ is seeking, and the reasons why. Continue reading