Pressure goes on Ngapuhi ahead of Waitangi Day

Local boy, J.J Marsh, 8, of the Mai Pewhairangi waka crew return from a paddle in Te Whiu on the Waitangi River as he prepares to celebrate Waitangi Day. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Prime Minister backs Governor-General’s comments on getting on with Treaty settlement

Government ministers have upped the pressure on Ngapuhi to get on with their settlement in the lead-up to Waitangi Day - and even the Governor-General got in on the act.

Prime Minister John Key sprang to Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae's defence after Sir Jerry was criticised for commenting on Ngapuhi's Treaty settlement at Te Tii yesterday.

By convention the governor-general stays removed from the politics of the day but yesterday Sir Jerry referred to Ngapuhi's settlement, which is bogged down in a dispute between hapu. Sir Jerry said he was sure the Ngapuhi settlement would come before him to sign and added: "I just ask that all of you are in there because I've seen the benefits from settlements."

Ngapuhi elder Kingi Taurua criticised Sir Jerry for intervening, and Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene said it was the Government Sir Jerry needed to speak to to ensure they got the process right. "There is a significant amount of opposition on the ground to the settlement."

Mr Key said he supported what the Governor-General had done. "He is quite entitled to express what he believes is best for New Zealand. He is of Maori ethnicity himself so he understands the significance and importance of Treaty settlements from a personal perspective. He's arguing a Treaty settlement that encompasses all Ngapuhi would be a great step for the country."

Mr Key is due to arrive at Waitangi today and said he would use the opportunity to make a similar point.

In the lead-up to Waitangi, other ministers also increased the pressure on Ngapuhi leaders to sort out their long-running battle. At the launch of the Northland Economic Development strategy, minister Steven Joyce said the iwi was missing out on about $10 million for each year of delay. That also meant Northland was missing out, where Ngapuhi could be a significant investor. Speaking in front of several hapu leaders Mr Joyce sent a blunt message: "Now is the time."

Despite the apparent pressure, Mr Key said the Government would not try to force Ngapuhi into settlement - it was up to the iwi to get there. "We can't force people to agree on a mandate. If we force a settlement on people who don't want to be part of it and don't believe it is legitimate you break one of the core tenets that it be full and final."

Mr Key can also expect to be tackled on his claim that New Zealand was settled peacefully.

Yesterday he defended that, saying he was referring to the time of the signing of the Treaty itself, which was on a peaceful basis "and formed the foundation stone of modern New Zealand".

He acknowledged the breaches that resulted in the Maori land wars, which the settlement process was aimed at addressing.