Kelvin Davis to hold hui in Kaitaia and Whangarei to shape Crown/Maori relationships

Kelvin Davis is seeking feedback from the public to shape his role as Minister of Crown/Maori Relations. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Kelvin Davis is the Minister of Crown/Maori Relations but he does not want to dictate what that relationship should look like.

That's why the Te Tai Tokerau MP is holding two hui in Northland this weekend to seek public feedback that will shape the new role.

"It would be arrogant if the Crown said 'Maori, this is how it's going to be', they would say 'here you go again, the last 178 years of telling us what to do and now you're telling us again'. It's just important that we listen and we work together on this issue for the benefit of the whole country."

The Crown/Maori Relations portfolio was established by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Government's commitment to a strong, ongoing and healthy relationship with Maori.

Mr Davis said his realm begins post negotiating table, although there was nothing stopping him from forming relationships with Maori, hapu and iwi.

When asked what the Crown/Maori Relations role might mean for Ngapuhi post Treaty settlement, he said he did not want to make assumptions.

"Maori might say actually it's not important, they might say we're happy to settle and be on our way and we don't want the Crown interfering.

"Or they might say we want to work on things together. I'm not going to pre-empt what Maori are going to say to me, I'm not going to pre-empt what the relationship will look like."

Mr Davis believed "fantastic" things could be achieved by the Crown and Maori working together.

"Iwi have said to me at the Iwi Chairs Forum in Waitangi earlier this year they want to work with Corrections on de-incarcerating Maori. There's something there we might be able to partner up with. Maori businesses, whatever, it's going to be open to Maori really to have their say."

Public hui will be held at Kaitaia College on Saturday, 8.30am; and at Terenga Paraoa Marae in Whangarei on Sunday at 11am.

Those who cannot attend hui can fill out a feedback form on www.justice.govt.nz/crown-maori.