Treaty inquiry will have narrow focus

By AUDREY YOUNG

The proposed inquiry into the Treaty of Waitangi will not be extended to republicanism or other constitutional issues, says senior minister Pete Hodgson.

"An inquiry into the future of race relations in New Zealand cannot become a wider debate on the constitution or whether or not we should become a republic," Mr Hodgson, whose portfolios include Energy and Transport, told Labour's southern regional conference at the weekend.

"We need to have an agreed pathway on the future of race relations before we can consider the future of our constitution."

Mr Hodgson also said the review would be in several stages and had to involve ordinary New Zealanders.

"It can't be done hurriedly and it can't be limited to an empty contest between the Roundtable and the brown table, their respective QCs and other members of the policy elite. That won't work.

"Instead the consultation and conversations will need to be a good deal more innovative, interactive and inclusive."

A commission of inquiry has the conditional support of United Future, the Greens and New Zealand First.

United Future leader Peter Dunne, who first proposed an inquiry, last night cautioned against making it too narrow.

He said a first phase might be about the treaty "but inevitably the second phase will have to be wider.

"There is no way you can control it. People will have views and will want to express them. If they try to corral it, it will turn into a failure."

Mr Dunne said he had seen some work around the terms of reference and was "broadly comfortable" with the direction.

Act and National leader Don Brash oppose the inquiry.

"Having touched a nerve and provoked a reflex, the doctor [Brash] now wants to hurry along," said Mr Hodgson.

"He has shown that he knows where the nerve is - he thinks that should be enough to establish his reputation.

"But this is not the action of a leader. It is the behaviour of a dilettante and attention-seeker."

The prospect of an inquiry has popular support. A Colmar Brunton poll two weeks ago found 69 per cent support for an inquiry; 24 per cent opposition and 7 per cent undecided.