June 13, 2016
Tillers of land overlooked in bill
Labour MP Meka Whaitiri is running workshops to encourage constituents to tell the Government of their concerns about planned changes to Maori land law.
The Maori affairs select committee has extended the time for submissions on Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill another three weeks to July 14.
Mrs Whaitiri says a quarter of Maori land is in her Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate.
She says the bill needs extensive changes if it is to work for the benefit of landowners.
"Do I think that the minister has broad support for it, no I don't. FOMA, then Iwi Leaders Forum, the large corporates don't necessarily reflect the actual land owners, those among our whanau that are actually churning the soil. That's my concern as I have traveled throughout the country," Ms Whaitiri says.
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