DOC land may seal deals - Hone

Te Tai Tokerau MP and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira is cautious about commenting on the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process which has divided the five Muriwhenua tribes.

Two tribes, Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri, last week initialled agreements with the Crown while the other three northernmost iwi, Ngati Kuri, Ngai Takato and Ngati Kahu, want better deals than what they are being offered. The initialled agreements now go to a final ratification stage before the settlement is paid.

Mr Harawira said he understood why some tribes had decided not to initial agreements at this stage.

"The negotiators will have been asking themselves 'Will I wake up tomorrow happy with what I signed off yesterday'?"

He had no comment on who was doing well and who was not doing well.

"I wish them all the best in the efforts they are making."

Mr Harawira said he suspected a more open-minded Crown attitude toward iwi access to Department of Conservation land would provide a basis for better settlements.

"With the Government allowing mining operations on DOC land there should be no argument about allowing DOC land to be used for Treaty settlements," he said.

Mr Harawira knew there were tensions between negotiators and he reminded them that at the end of the day they were closely related.

"I hope whanaungatanga is to the fore in the deliberations they have to make."

He had spoken to Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson on several occasions and considered him genuine in his attempts to get the best settlements possible within the restrictions under which he worked.

"I doubt if any of the five iwi in Muriwhenua will be satisfied with the deals provided," Mr Harawira said.

"Given that the Crown is not able to fully meet the expectations of iwi settlements are currently about 3 per cent of the value of claims it has been suggested all Crown land, not just the DOC estate, should be included in settlements."

Mr Harawira said the Crown should not turn its nose up at the ability of iwi to own and manage those lands for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

"There is also the possibility of using shareholdings in State-owned enterprises to add value to settlements."

He also considered settlements should not be finite but ongoing, including formal relations between iwi and local authorities for joint management of resources.

Mr Harawira said the Mana Party supported the suggestion that settlements should not be full and final.

"No deadline should apply, considering the massive breaches of the Treaty in the past which the Crown has acknowledged."