I'm out, Bassett tells Waitangi Tribunal

By RUTH BERRY

Historian Michael Bassett has told the Waitangi Tribunal he does not want to be reappointed.

Dr Bassett has been a tribunal member for 10 years and his existing three-year appointment expires at the end of this month.

The former Labour Cabinet Minister has regularly criticised the tribunal, accusing his fellow members of bias.

His most recent criticisms were of the tribunal's Tauranga report, in which he recorded a minority view.

In a subsequent newspaper column he accused his fellow members of "inventive arguments" and said it was time to "review the tribunal's usefulness".

The comments prompted a call from the region's Maori electorate MP, Mita Ririnui, for Dr Bassett to resign. Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia joined in and said Dr Bassett's views were "extreme" and unhelpful.

Mr Horomia said Dr Bassett's future on the tribunal would be reviewed when his existing appointment expired.

Dr Bassett revealed yesterday that he had written to the tribunal's chairman two months ago telling him he did not wish to be reappointed.

Asked if he had expected to be reappointed, he said: "Certainly not".

He had indicated two years ago (in a magazine article) that he was not interested in reappointment.

"I lead an extremely busy life, I've got a huge amount of stuff on at present.

"And frankly, when it became clear to me that the Waitangi Tribunal wasn't interested in my services, I thought, well that suits me very nicely."

Dr Bassett declined to comment on Mr Horomia's criticisms that his outspokenness was inappropriate given his position.

Act MP Stephen Franks earlier told the Herald he did not think it was possible for a member of a tribunal to express the criticisms Dr Bassett had and expect reappointment.