Policy - Crown-Māori Relationships

Description

Within this output class the Minister purchased policy advice on the relationship between Māori and the Crown and on the links between that relationship and the realisation of Māori potential across the three dimensions of mātauranga, whakamana and rawa, to support economic transformation, the development of national identity, and strengthening families.

This included all treaty policy issues and advice on the impacts of legislation not addressed in any other output class.

Quality, quantity and timeliness performance measures for Ministerial Servicing and Policy Advice are reported under Ministerial Servicing Performance in this report.

All work produced was aligned to key themes contained in the Statement of Intent 2006/07. The specific outputs included:

Provide advice on, and monitor, issues and opportunities associated with facilitating Treaty of Waitangi settlements, including advice about the mandating of settlement entities and the provision of support for post-settlement entities (national identity)

Te Puni Kōkiri provided advice to facilitate treaty of Waitangi settlements in 2006/07 specifically on:

• Rangitāne o Manawatū mandate reconfirmation; Hauraki mandate issues; Ngāti Porou mandate preparations; Wairoa Working Group mandate strategy; Ngāti Ranginui mandate process; Te Kotahi a Tūhoe mandate process; and Wairarapa ki Tararua mandate preparations;
• the use of conservation land as redress in settlements;
• Waikato river, Te Aupōuri, Te rarawa, Ngāti Apa, tūranga, Port nicholson Block Claims, and Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa settlement negotiations;
• Te Roroa and Te Arawa settlement legislation;
• specific Waitangi Tribunal reports including the Te Tau Ihu interim reports, settlement issue reports in Te Arawa and Auckland, and historical reports in the Central North Island;
• the preparation of evidence for the Waitangi Tribunal’s Flora and Fauna (Wai 262) inquiry;
• an enhanced role for Te Puni Kōkiri in the Treaty Settlement process;
• the Crown’s strategies for settling all Treaty claims by 2020;
• the Crown’s progress in responding to Waitangi Tribunal reports;
• Protection Mechanism and Sites of Significance process and policy; and
• foreshore and seabed matters.

Te Puni Kōkiri provided cultural support and claims facilitation, including:

• in the Te Roroa Treaty settlement negotiations and foreshore and seabed negotiations; and
• in the Wai 262, Whanganui District, National Park District, Te Arawa Settlement, and Tāmaki Makarau Settlement Waitangi Tribunal inquiries.

Te Puni Kōkiri provided support to post settlement entities and other settlement related entities, including in relation to:

• Māori Trust Boards;
• SILNA reserves;
• the Mauao Trust;
• the Pākaitore Trust; and
• the Tuhua Trust.

Te Puni Kōkiri provided advice on and facilitated the transfer of the following land or land interests to iwi to promote positive relationships between iwi and Government:

• Mauao (agreement negotiated);
• Tuhua (order vesting Crown shares in Tuhua Trust awaiting decision of Māori Land Court); and
• Whanganui Courthouse (deed of on-account-settlement signed and land vested in Pākaitore Trust).

Provide advice on, and monitor, issues and opportunities to support the development and application of Māori governance models (economic transformation and strengthening Whānau)

Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Draft Bill: In December 2006 Cabinet approved policy proposals for a new statutory governance entity tailored to meet the organisational needs of Māori tribal groups (iwi and hapū) and other Māori groups that manage communal assets. The proposals were based on the governance policy work undertaken by Te Puni Kōkiri, the Law Commission’s report Waka Umanga: A Proposed Law for Māori Governance Entities, feedback from Māori, and input from other departments.

The Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill was drafted in accordance with the key legislative provisions agreed to by Cabinet, and in April 2007, Cabinet approved the release of the Bill for targeted consultation in June and July 2007 with iwi and Māori organisations, as well as the business and legal sectors. Stakeholders were asked to consider whether the provisions and requirements in the draft Bill are acceptable to, and as effective as possible for, Māori organisations and the commercial organisations that will have dealings with them. A report to Cabinet on the outcome of consultation will be prepared once consultation has been completed.

The Bill has a priority to proceed to select committee in the 2007 Legislative Programme.

Provide advice on, and monitor, issues and opportunities associated with Māori interests in oceans policy and the water programme of action (economic transformation)

Te Puni Kōkiri has participated on various officials groups in 2006/07 over the full range of marine and freshwater initiatives and priorities, providing input on substantive issues for Māori and engagement with Māori. Reports have been provided to the Minister of Māori Affairs on an ongoing basis as required. Reports will continue to be provided with a particular focus on the Sustainable Water Programme of Action and aquaculture development for Māori.

Provide advice on, and monitor, issues associated with the administration of Māori Affairs legislation

The Māori Purposes Bill 2006 was passed on 7 December 2006. Cabinet confirmed the inclusion of a Māori Purposes Bill on the 2007 Legislation Programme, with a priority to proceed to select committee.

Proposed amendments to section 6 of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955, the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board Act 1988 and Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 will be progressed through the Māori Purposes Bill 2007.

In addition, the Crown Māori Relationship Instrument (CMRI) Guidelines to assist agencies in developing and executing relationship instruments (such as memoranda of understanding) between the Crown and Māori were officially launched by Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Justice in January 2007.

The CMRI Annual Report was completed on time and approved by Cabinet on 30 April 2007.

Te Puni Kōkiri and Ministry of Justice officials plan to conduct a number of workshops over the next 12 months with particular agencies to assist a whole-of-government awareness and to discuss in more detail how they might use the CMRI policy framework.

Financial Performance

(figures are GST exclusive)

30/06/06 Actual $000		30/06/07 Actual $000	30/06/07 Supp Estimates $000	30/06/07 Main Estimates $000
7,456	Revenue Crown	6,959	6,959	6,432
11	Other Revenue	30	29	11
7,467	Total Revenue	6,989	6,988	6,443
7,467	Total Expenses	6,898	6,988	6,443
0	Net surplus/(deficit)	91	0	0