May 25, 2023
UK FTA falls short on tiriti promise
A long-time critic of free trade deals says the FTA with the United Kingdom which comes into force next week fails to adequately acknowledge the Treaty of Waitangi.
University of Auckland professor emeritus Jane Kelsey says the UK unilaterally rejects any responsibility under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and a proposed treaty chapter was watered down to a Maori trade and economic cooperation chapter that’s not enforceable or comes with any resources.
“It’s overseen by ‘an inclusive trade subcommittee’ – inclusive has become a buzzword – in which Maori are among other stakeholders and so there is no recognition even of the mana of Maori in the implementation of this let along anything concrete based on Te Tiriti,” she says.
Dr Kelsey says the economic gains for Maori are projected to be just $13 million in additional GDP in 15 years time – raising questions about whether New Zealand could have got a better deal if Maori were at the negotiating table.