April 11, 2016
Pressure grows on Ture Whenua Bill
Claimants are trying to get the Waitangi Tribunal to grant urgency to another claim over the reform of Maori land law.
They fear Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is about to introduce his Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill, despite the tribunal finding last month the proposed bill did not comply with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The tribunal found consultation was inadequate, the crown had done no proper research into whether the existing law was working or not, and it should not press forward without widespread support of Maori.
Once the bill is introduced the tribunal can play no further part, unless parliament refers the bill to it for advice on its treaty implications.
Tribunal deputy chair Judge Patrick Savage has already dismissed the call for urgency from claimant Marise Land, but he’s still considering the request from an additional set of claimants.
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