Hui informs minister Kelvin Davis on needs of Rotorua Maori

MP Kelvin Davis arrives in a rainy Rotorua for the Crown/Maori Relations at Te Papaiouru Marae. Photo / Ben Fraser

Local iwi have had their chance to tell MP Kelvin Davis what the future relationship between Maori and the Crown should look like.

Davis, New Zealand's first Minister for Crown/Maori Relations, held a public hui yesterday at Te Papaiouru Marae about the relationship between Maori and the Crown once all historical Treaty claims are settled.

The series of hui are currently travelling the country and Davis was really surprised at Rotorua's turnout despite the weather.

About 85 people attended and of those about 25 spoke before the group.

"A lot of it was really reinforcing what we've been hearing at all of the hui we've had.

"The key things really remain the same."

Davis said people wanted to discuss the difficulty they had engaging with local government, Maori representation, government departments being more Maori friendly, acknowledgement of the Treaty, methamphetamine and drug problems, education, health and the justice sector.

"Their needs and aspirations aren't currently being met and in situations where they're dealing with government departments they often feel belittled and find these experiences humiliating.

"They want to be able to engage better."

There are still more hui to go around the country and Davis said he would present his findings to Cabinet later in the year.

"Hopefully we can have some clear ideas about what we can do with this information."

Local Kaipara Meihana said this kind of hui was a process the Crown typically went through.

"We need to go back to our roots, we're on the back foot every day and to be honest our own people can be our own worst enemies.

"We want a partnership of course, but we need to be acknowledged as the first nation."

Fellow local Peter Staite said the minister really invited people for them to inform him.

"I said to the minister that my hapu, Ngati Whaoa, were wrongly included in a collective settlement.

"We believe he's come in good spirits and may wish to look at this grievance we are living with.

"I said to him today, that I believe he's a better man than the one we have been dealing with."

Those who couldn't make it to the hui can provide written feedback through the Ministry of Justice website, or by post to Freepost Authority 254825, Crown Maori Relations, PO Box 180, Wellington.