April 18, 2016
Land law reform what Maori want
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says he gave full consideration to a Waitangi Tribunal report before tabling his Ture Whenua Maori Bill in parliament.
The tribunal identified a long list of flaws in the bill, including a lack of evidence such a radical and disruptive overhaul of Maori land law was justified.
It called for a delay until proper research was done.
Mr Flavell says he asked his officials to address its concerns, and he also gave time for further challenges to take their course.
He says the people can have an input through the select commitee.
"In the end this isn't about winners and losers. It's about what's best for Maori owners. I've heard in a number, pretty much most of the forums I have been in to, the determination on the part of our people is to have a say on the land that they own. If they want to develop it they should have that ability should they desire to have it and above all be able to make the decisions by themselves about their resource and i think we've fulfilled that desire and the people have a say about that in the next six months," Mr Flavell says.
Claimant Marise Lant says the minister is failing to protect the rights of Maori and to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi.
FULL INTERVIEW: TE URUROA FLAVELL
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