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Iwi chairs have signed a protocol with the Minister for Maori Development supporting reform of Maori land law and agreeing on how they will work on finalising the replacement Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill.
The document was discussed at this week’s Waitangi Tribunal hearing into the reform, which claimants say will turn the Maori Land Court into a toothless tribunal, deny Maori landowners the protection of common law and custom, and impose complexity and cost on a system that is only needs minor amendment.
Willie Te Aho, an advisor to the Iwi Chairs Forum, believes the bill will give Maori landowners more tools to develop their land.
"My uncle Apirana Mahuika stood at Tokomaru Bay and said ' Noku te whenua, kei au te korero, noku te whenua , ko au te rangatira' I have all the say that relates to my land, I should make all the decisions that relates to my lands. He wants to reduce the impact of the Maori Land Court on his lands he wants to increase his say which leads toward mana motuhake and all he needs is the tools to help his people to be able to develop the lands that they want, he says.
Willie Te Aho says claims the reform will lead to job losses are wrong, and jobs could double or triple across the court and the new Maori Land Service.
FULL INTERVIEW: WILLIE TE AHO
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