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Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Review into Waitangi Tribunal
The government says it will launch a review into the Waitangi Tribunal to refocus the "scope, purpose and nature" of the Tribunal's inquiries back to its "original intent". The review is part of the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National and will be lead by an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG), supported by Te Puni Kōkiri. The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, originally it could only hear claims about current government actions but in 1985 Parliament allowed the Tribunal to investigate events dating back to 1840. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said given the progress of historical claims and settlements and concerns around the Tribunal's workload, a review into the legislation that determines its inquiries was "timely". The Tribunal has accepted seven urgent inquiries into government policies since the coalition was elected. "Over the past 50 years, the Tribunal has made significant contributions to the Māori Crown relationship and informed the settlement of both historical and contemporary Treaty claims impacting generations of whānau across the country," Potaka said. "A review of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Tribunal continues to effectively meet the intent of the legislation - considering claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi - and providing timely, well-reasoned findings." The ITAG will be chaired by legal expert Bruce Gray KC and include senior public servant Kararaina Calcott-Cribb, lawyer David Cochrane, and Māori leader Dion Tuuta and is tasked with looking at whether the whether the Act provides clarity around the Tribunal's jurisdiction, how different types of claims are managed, and how the legislation aligns with other legislation. "The ITAG will engage directly with peak Māori and Iwi entities, Treaty law experts, and current and former Tribunal members to ensure that the right voices and perspectives are reflected in the recommendations they provide to ministers at the end of their review," says Mr Potaka. "The review will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose not just for today, but for the generations to come." Potaka said. 'Increasingly activist' - Seymour welcomes review In a media release, Act leader David Seymour welcomed the review. "Act supports the completion of full and final historic Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, but the Waitangi Tribunal has gone well beyond its brief and has become increasingly activist. "It's tried to become a source of authority in its own right and appears to regard itself as a parallel government that can intervene in the democratically elected government's policymaking process - like during the Treaty Principles Bill debate." He said it was time to put the Tribunal "in its place". Engagement will begin in mid-2025 and advice will be provided to ministers, including Shane Jones, by September. Proposals are intended to be introduced before the end of the year.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Govt announces review into Waitangi Tribunal
The government says it will launch a review into the Waitangi Tribunal to refocus the "scope, purpose and nature" of the Tribunal's inquiries back to its "original intent". The review is part of the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National and will be lead by an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG), supported by Te Puni Kōkiri. The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, originally it could only hear claims about current government actions but in 1985 Parliament allowed the Tribunal to investigate events dating back to 1840. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said given the progress of historical claims and settlements and concerns around the Tribunal's workload, a review into the legislation that determines its inquiries was "timely". The Tribunal has accepted seven urgent inquiries into government policies since the coalition was elected. "Over the past 50 years, the Tribunal has made significant contributions to the Māori Crown relationship and informed the settlement of both historical and contemporary Treaty claims impacting generations of whānau across the country," Potaka said. "A review of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Tribunal continues to effectively meet the intent of the legislation - considering claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi - and providing timely, well-reasoned findings." The ITAG will be chaired by legal expert Bruce Gray KC and include senior public servant Kararaina Calcott-Cribb, lawyer David Cochrane, and Māori leader Dion Tuuta and is tasked with looking at whether the whether the Act provides clarity around the Tribunal's jurisdiction, how different types of claims are managed, and how the legislation aligns with other legislation. "The ITAG will engage directly with peak Māori and Iwi entities, Treaty law experts, and current and former Tribunal members to ensure that the right voices and perspectives are reflected in the recommendations they provide to ministers at the end of their review," says Mr Potaka. "The review will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose not just for today, but for the generations to come." Potaka said. 'Increasingly activist' - Seymour welcomes review In a media release, Act leader David Seymour welcomed the review. "Act supports the completion of full and final historic Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, but the Waitangi Tribunal has gone well beyond its brief and has become increasingly activist. "It's tried to become a source of authority in its own right and appears to regard itself as a parallel government that can intervene in the democratically elected government's policymaking process - like during the Treaty Principles Bill debate." He said it was time to put the Tribunal "in its place". Engagement will begin in mid-2025 and advice will be provided to ministers, including Shane Jones, by September. Proposals are intended to be introduced before the end of the year.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Government announces review into Waitangi Tribunal, Seymour calls it 'activist'
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The government says it will launch a review into the Waitangi Tribunal to refocus the "scope, purpose and nature" of the Tribunal's inquiries back to its "original intent". The review is part of the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National and will be lead by an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG), supported by Te Puni Kōkiri. The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, originally it could only hear claims about current government actions but in 1985 Parliament allowed the Tribunal to investigate events dating back to 1840. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said given the progress of historical claims and settlements and concerns around the Tribunal's workload, a review into the legislation that determines its inquiries was "timely". The Tribunal has accepted seven urgent inquiries into government policies since the coalition was elected. "Over the past 50 years, the Tribunal has made significant contributions to the Māori Crown relationship and informed the settlement of both historical and contemporary Treaty claims impacting generations of whānau across the country," Potaka said. "A review of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Tribunal continues to effectively meet the intent of the legislation - considering claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi - and providing timely, well-reasoned findings." The ITAG will be chaired by legal expert Bruce Gray KC and include senior public servant Kararaina Calcott-Cribb, lawyer David Cochrane, and Māori leader Dion Tuuta and is tasked with looking at whether the whether the Act provides clarity around the Tribunal's jurisdiction, how different types of claims are managed, and how the legislation aligns with other legislation. "The ITAG will engage directly with peak Māori and Iwi entities, Treaty law experts, and current and former Tribunal members to ensure that the right voices and perspectives are reflected in the recommendations they provide to ministers at the end of their review," says Mr Potaka. "The review will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose not just for today, but for the generations to come." Potaka said. In a media release, Act leader David Seymour welcomed the review. Act leader David Seymour. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel "Act supports the completion of full and final historic Treaty settlements as a pragmatic way to resolve past injustices, but the Waitangi Tribunal has gone well beyond its brief and has become increasingly activist. "It's tried to become a source of authority in its own right and appears to regard itself as a parallel government that can intervene in the democratically elected government's policymaking process - like during the Treaty Principles Bill debate." He said it was time to put the Tribunal "in its place". Engagement will begin in mid-2025 and advice will be provided to ministers, including Shane Jones, by September. Proposals are intended to be introduced before the end of the year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Waitangi Tribunal review to kick off this year, Government confirms, Act calls it ‘activist'
The coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First promises the Government will amend the legislation 'to refocus the scope, purpose and nature' of the tribunal's inquiries 'back to the original intent of the legislation'. NZ First's Shane Jones has been among those vocal in opposition to some conduct by the tribunal. Last April, he said it was overstepping its mandate in summonsing a minister to appear before it. The Prime Minister later reprimanded him and Seymour for comments they made. In his statement on Friday, Potaka said reviewing the legislation would ensure the tribunal is best placed to continue serving the interests of Māori and all New Zealanders. Engagement is expected to begin in the middle of the year, with advice provided to ministers by September. Legislative proposals are intended to be introduced before the end of the year. 'Over the past 50 years, the tribunal has made significant contributions to the Māori-Crown relationship and informed the settlement of both historical and contemporary Treaty claims impacting generations of whānau across the country,' Potaka said. 'Given the progress of historical claims and settlements and concerns about the tribunal's current workload, it is timely to review the legislation that determines how it undertakes its inquiries.' He said the review would make sure the tribunal 'continues to effectively meet the intent of the legislation – considering claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi – and providing timely, well-reasoned findings'. Criticisms of the tribunal have included that it has stepped beyond its brief with some of its inquiries. The tribunal has reported on a large number of government policies since the formation of the current coalition, ranging from the Treaty Principles Bill to changes to the Oranga Tamariki Act. Potaka said an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) would lead the review, supported by Te Puni Kōkiri. It will be chaired by legal expert Bruce Gray KC and will include senior public servant Kararaina Calcott-Cribb, lawyer David Cochrane, and respected Māori leader Dion Tuuta. The review will consider whether the legislation provides clarity around the Tribunal's jurisdiction, how different types of claims are managed, and how the Treaty of Waitangi Act aligns with other legislation, Potaka said. 'The ITAG will engage directly with peak Māori and Iwi entities, Treaty law experts, and current and former tribunal members to ensure that the right voices and perspectives are reflected in the recommendations they provide to ministers at the end of their review,' Potaka said. 'The review will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose not just for today, but for the generations to come.' Seymour welcomed the announcement, saying it was 'time to put the tribunal in its place'. 'It's tried to become a source of authority in its own right and appears to regard itself as a parallel government that can intervene in the democratically elected Government's policymaking process – like during the Treaty Principles Bill debate," Seymour said. That bill, which was voted down last month by all parties but Act, would have laid out in law what the principles of the Treaty are to provide clarity within legislation that reference them. Seymour repeated on Friday that there needed to be a definition in law 'so that the Treaty is interpreted and applied in a manner that reflects what it actually says: all New Zealanders have the same rights and duties'. 'The tribunal's recent conduct is one reason why we need the Treaty Principles Bill. While some politicians weren't ready for that debate, Act will continue pushing for all New Zealanders to be equal before the law, not a partnership between races.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Review Seeks To Improve Waitangi Tribunal
Reviewing the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal is best placed to continue serving the interests of Māori and all New Zealanders into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. The New Zealand First and National Party coalition agreement includes a commitment to refocus the scope, purpose, and nature of the Tribunal's inquiries back to its original intent. 'Over the past 50 years, the Tribunal has made significant contributions to the Māori Crown relationship and informed the settlement of both historical and contemporary Treaty claims impacting generations of whānau across the country. 'Given the progress of historical claims and settlements and concerns about the Tribunal's current workload, it is timely to review the legislation that determines how it undertakes its inquiries. 'A review of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Tribunal continues to effectively meet the intent of the legislation - considering claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi - and providing timely, well-reasoned findings,' Mr Potaka says. An Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) will lead the review, supported by Te Puni Kōkiri. The review will consider whether the Act provides clarity around the Tribunal's jurisdiction, how different types of claims are managed, and how the legislation aligns with other legislation. The ITAG will be chaired by legal expert Bruce Gray KC, and will include senior public servant Kararaina Calcott-Cribb, lawyer David Cochrane, and respected Māori leader Dion Tuuta. "The ITAG will engage directly with peak Māori and Iwi entities, Treaty law experts, and current and former Tribunal members to ensure that the right voices and perspectives are reflected in the recommendations they provide to ministers at the end of their review,' says Mr Potaka. 'The review will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains focused, relevant, effective and fit for purpose not just for today, but for the generations to come.' Engagement will begin in mid-2025 and continue throughout the review process. Advice will be provided to ministers, including NZ First Minister Shane Jones, by September 2025, with legislative proposals intended to be introduced before the end of the year.
