Kelvin Davis to canvas ideas at Maori/Crown relations hui in Whanganui

Crown/Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis will hold a hui on the portfolio in Whanganui this Friday. Photo / Warren Buckland

How the "fraught" relationship between the Government and Māori will look in a post-treaty settlement era needs to be discussed, Kelvin Davis says.

The Labour Party deputy leader and Crown/Māori Relations Minister will be in Whanganui this Friday as part of a series of hui around the country.

Davis said the history of the relationship had "been fraught to say the least".

Under his newly created portfolio he wants to improve the way government departments engage with Māori, ensure treaty settlement obligations are honoured and find opportunities for more active partnership.

"Māori have had to protest, go to the Waitangi Tribunal and head to court to test their rights and it's just a waste of energy and resources," Davis said.

The relationship over the past 20 years had primarily played out through the treaty settlement negotiation process, but as that neared an end Davis said it was time to re-assess.

"Forever, the Crown has always said 'hey, Māori, this is what you are going to do and I'm sure you're going to like it' and we wonder why things haven't worked out."

The Whanganui hui, to be held at the Wanganui Function Centre at the racecourse from 2pm on Friday, is one of more than 10 to be held around the country.

Davis said it was clear Māori wanted to be much more involved in decision making on issues that affected them and not just be considered another stakeholder.

He was reluctant to go into specifics.

"There's a number of key themes and I'm a bit hesitant prior to the Whanganui hui to say what they are because I don't want people to fixate on what they've heard from around the country," he said.

"[But] there are some clear things emerging very strongly and I'll be interested to see if the people in the Whanganui area raise the same issues."

The hui will help determine the scope of the Crown/Māori portfolio and Davis will then present a paper to Cabinet.

The process also involves talking to groups and national organisations from local government to business.

"I have begun to meet with Māori and non-Māori national organisations but also want to talk to groups and people around the country - including rūnanga, hapū, and rangatahi – about what the relationship should look like. Everyone is welcome at our hui."

• For information on the hui visit www.justice.govt.nz/crown-maori. An online feedback form is also available.