October 10, 2022
Rata vision created Waitangi Tribunal strength
It’s 50 years today since the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Former Māori affairs minister Dover Samuels says what has been achieved in that half century is a tribute to the vision of his predecessor, the late Matiu Rata.
He says like the current storm over co-governance, the idea of a body to investigate Maori grievances was controversial, but the way it was done made Aotearoa New Zealand a better place.
“It actually reconciled many, many injustices that create divisions without our community. You go back and you have a look at the treaty settlements and the process, he developed a partnership model respected by all that make Aotearoa their home,” Mr Samuels says
He regrets Ngapuhi is still not settled – but that may be more about internal mana munching that flaws in the process.
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