Title among greenstone

By Mary Jane Boland

Doug Graham needs to find a space among the artefacts scattered around his home office for his latest koha - the insignia that comes with his new knighthood.

The greenstone pendants and Maori carvings are signs of appreciation from people he has met as Minister for Treaty Negotiations over the past eight years.

Now the insignia of his knighthood, bestowed for services as a cabinet minister and MP, will nestle amid the treasures.

The National list politician was yesterday mixing media interviews with life at his rural home in Drury, South Auckland.

He is one of only a handful of MPs other than Prime Ministers and Speakers to be knighted while still in office.

Sir Douglas and his wife, Lady Beverley, were a little overwhelmed by the fuss but their ageing arthritic dog, Bruin, lapped up the attention.

"I'm obviously honoured and I feel very humbled about it - you don't go into cabinet and work on your portfolio expecting some sort of award," said Sir Douglas.

"It is, I hope, a reflection of the great work the officials have done, particularly in the Treaty [of Waitangi] area."

Sir Douglas has been instrumental in settling claims worth about $650 million with iwi. The largest settlements include Ngai Tahu's $170 million last year.

He disagreed that it was an extraordinary amount of money for his office to have dispensed. "We had a lot of assets that we took and we've had use of them for over 150 years."

The ex-lawyer is fully aware that the settlements have not pleased everybody.

Being called a Judas Iscariot and dealing with critics - the worst suggesting he hang himself - have been drawbacks to the job. But overall Sir Douglas believes New Zealanders have handled treaty issues with a great deal of maturity.

He said the award belonged as much to officials who had worked hard to make the negotiation process "honourable, reasonable and comprehensive."

Apart from the treaty work, Sir Douglas said he was proud of laws introduced during his time as Minister of Justice. He hoped the Domestic Violence Act, in particular, had helped to improve the lives of many people.

He will retire at the next election, and plans to study native land settlement issues at Cambridge University in England.

He also wants to spend more time with his wife and three adult children and will try to get used to being called Sir Douglas.

"It can't be Sir Doug because that sounds like the name of a racehorse."

Pictured: Sir Douglas Graham. HERALD PICTURE / PAUL ESTCOURT