February 04, 2018
New dynamic for crown-iwi relations
Crown Maori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis says the presence of a large number of Maori MPs and Ministers in the Government should change the way iwi interact.
The new role created for Mr Davis drew some comment during events around this year’s Treaty of Waiting commemorations, including during the Iwi Leaders Forum hui at Waitangi which Mr Davis attended with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
He told a hui at his home marae in Karetu he had some advice for those iwi leaders.
"You can request to meet with me as a member of the crown but remember we are all related to you so what is more effective – working as crown-Maori or working whanaunga ki te whanaunga. If we're doing anything as Maori MPs we are actually doing it for our whanau to make sure our whanau are well, our hapu are well, our iwi are well. When Maori are doing well, New Zealand is doing well," Mr Davis said.
Prime Minister Arden says Mr Davis has already been effective in the role, having input into some as yet to be announced Maori housing initiatives.
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