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The New Zealand Maori Council has joined the attempt to have New Zealand’s participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement reviewed by the Waitangi Tribunal.
The tribunal is considering whether to grant an urgent hearing to a claim by a group of prominent Maori including Dr Papaarangi Reid, Moana Maniapoto and Hone Harawira who say the multilateral trade and services deal would compromise the Crown’s ability to protect Maori interests under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Maori Council co-chair Sir Taihakurei Durie says the council’s claim is more narrowly focused Maori rights and interests in water and geothermal energy, which are the subject of a separate claim by the council.
It says the Crown’s actions in relation to the TPPA will result in prejudice to Maori who have claims to natural resources because of fear of economic backlash by foreign investors.
It says an urgent hearing is needed before negotiations go any further, so minds remain open to identifying the best way to protect Maori claims to natural resources.
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