February 10, 2016
Law reform rush raises questions
Labour MP Meka Whaitiri says the Government still hasn’t explained why it needs to totally rewrite Te Ture Whenua Maori.
Information hui have started around the country on the current state of the new Maori land law, which Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell wants to introduce next month.
Ms Whaitiri says the bill was originally under Attorney General Chris Finlayson, but Mr Flavell has made it his own.
She says the speed it is being pushed through is in sharp contrast to the existing Act, which took 17 years to develop.
"It wasn’t done lightly there was a lot of consideration. Maori landowner voices were obviously canvassed we also had the law commission involved so a piece of legislation that takes 17 years tells me it's a very complex area. The problem hasn't been defined clearly, what are we trying to change?" she says.
Meka Whaitiri says her impression is the bill exists as a way to clip the powers of Maori Land Court Judges, and Maori landowners will pay the price.
There are hui on the bill today in Taupo and Rotorua.
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