Labour leader Chris Hipkins is disappointed that Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka was unaware of how cabinet decisions affect the Treaty.
On Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced two new bills that could remove the clause about Treaty principles.
Potaka initially claimed he did not know about any Treaty-related changes but later corrected himself.
Hipkins stressed that Māori need to trust their leaders, and Potaka’s mistake raises concerns.
“He must have been asleep while that was going through cabinet. I think that’s bad news for Māori, because if the Minister for Māori Development is not going to speak up in cabinet in defense of having the principles of the Treaty, recognised in resource management, then who on earth is?” says Hipkins.
He noted that Article Two of the Treaty guarantees Māori and non-Māori a say in managing natural resources.
