December 22, 2020
Te Taumata welcomes claimant-led trade group
The chair of Maori trade group Te Taumata believes the formation of a new group by Waitangi Tribunal TPPA claimants won’t spell the end of his roopu.
In mediation with claimants, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed to support the formation of a new body, Ngā Toki Whakarururanga, to provide Māori input into international trade organisations.
That’s something Te Taumata has been working towards for the past year, holding hui with Maori growers and exporters, and Chris Karamea Insley says that will continue.
He says Te Taumata supports what the TPPA claimants are trying to do.
"Those issues they have been raising are valid, are legitimate, and they have to be resolved with the crown. The crown has made a decision to establish the new group – tautoko. I think the work from here on is how the efforts of the groups, and there are others, are all complementary such that the views any of the groups – and individuals actually – are taking forward to government as Māori are all consistent," Mr Insley says.
Te Taumata is planning more regional hui in 2021 to put trade ministers and negotiators in front of Maori, starting with Kerikeri on February 2.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com