September 18, 2015
Unproductive land driving need for law change
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says reform of Maori land law is essential if Maori are to develop economically.
The Waitangi Tribunal has reserved its decision about whether it will hold an urgent hearing into the process surrounding the development of Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill, after a judicial hearing taking most of yesterday.
Mr Flavell says there has already been three years of consultation, and any new ideas will be road tested before the bill is introduced to parliament.
He says there is a major problem with the existing Maori land regime that needs to be fixed.
"According to a recent Productivity Commission report, it told us 85 percent of Maori land is what they call Class S, unproductive, and 85 percent of the land still left in our hands being unproductive can add huge benefits to our people in terms of work, employment opportunities, the development of the land to get better opportunities off that whether it be honey, forestry, whatever you want to talk about, 85 percent is a big piece of land," Mr Flavell says.
He says the law is not about making it easier to alienate Maori land.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TE URUROA FLAVELL CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzI1MzA=
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