Tūi Tūi Tuituiā

Commission promotes human rights dimensions of the Treaty

The Human Rights Commission has a specific responsibility to promote understanding of the human rights dimensions of the Treaty. In 2013, the Commission’s Te Mana i Waitangi programme worked with communities and organisations to promote discussion on human rights and the Treaty. Workshops were facilitated with councils, government departments, universities, businesses and community organisations, with participants commenting on how valuable they found it to gain a better understanding of the Treaty and what it means to New Zealanders today.
The Human Rights Commission also hosted a special workshop in Wellington to discuss rangatiratanga and the whakapapa of human rights. The workshop discussed strategies for ensuring the voices of Tangata Whenua are heard during international human rights processes, such as the Universal Periodic Review.

In 2012, the Waitangi Tribunal released Ko Aotearoa Tēnei, its report on the Wai 262 claim concerning law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity. The report has yet to receive a response from Government. Achieving progress in the promotion and recognition of the cultural rights of Tangata Whenua continues to be a priority for the Human Rights Commission.

Find out more about Human Rights and the Treaty at: www.hrc.co.nz/human-rights-and-the-treaty-of-waitangi/human-rights-and-the-treaty.

Commission builds Treaty-based organisation

The Commission asserted its commitment to being a Treaty-based organisation, during a comprehensive review of its structure and programmes. The review offered a unique chance to look at how the Treaty is reflected in the way the Commission goes about its work.
In a demonstration of partnership, responsibility for Treaty issues was allocated to two Commissioners: one Tangata Whenua and one Tauiwi (non-Māori). They will work together alongside staff to ensure Treaty-based practice is embedded in the organisation. This includes fulfilling the Commission’s responsibilities to protect rangatiratanga and promote full participation and equal rights for Tangata Whenua. Other strategies include prioritising tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te reo Māori in all aspects of the Commission’s work and upholding the Commission’s values of whanaungatanga (relationships), māia, tika, pono (courage and integrity) and mana tangata (human dignity).

Federation committed to a Treaty-based Multicultural New Zealand

The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, with support from Network Waitangi Ōtautahi, developed a new resource³¹ which described its understanding and practice of the Treaty. The resource, A Treaty-based Multicultural New Zealand, sets out the Federation’s commitment to the Treaty and to a multicultural society based on the Treaty. The resource is being shared so that other organisations can consider developing their own statements.

A Treaty-based Multicultural New Zealand is available from both the Federation of Multicultural Councils website and the Network Waitangi Otautahi website.

Councils urged to make decisions with Māori

Councils need to do more to build their understanding of kaitiakitanga and their relationships with Māori iwi and hapū, according to a national survey carried out by Te Puni Kōkiri.

Councils exercising their duties and powers under the Resource Management Act (RMA) are required to have particular regard to the Treaty and kaitiakitanga: the guardianship and custodial protection by an iwi or hapū over land and other taonga (treasure). The UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (article 25) protects the right of iwi and hapū to maintain lands, waterways and natural resources.

Despite these provisions, the Kaitiaki Survey showed that some local and regional councils are failing to meaningfully engage with Māori and that several councils need to take steps to ensure iwi and hapū are participating in environmental and RMA work.
This lack of engagement is made worse by the significant underrepresentation of Māori in local government. Very few council seats are held by Māori, despite the fact that councils have powers to introduce dedicated Māori seats.
In 2013, several new collaborations were established between hapū and councils, including initiatives in Northland and Rotorua to revitalise traditional waterways. Hawke's Bay Regional Council announced plans to partner with the Ngāti Pahauwera iwi to form a legislated environment committee.

Māori economic growth continues

The influence of Māori investment and business ventures on Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy continued to increase in 2013, with the worth of the Māori economy estimated to be at least $37 billion.³²

The Māori Economic Development Unit was established to drive the implementation of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa – the Māori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.³³ The new Unit, which sits within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is aiming to support the development of an innovative Māori economy by focusing on education, natural resources and Māori working together to drive growth.

During 2013, the settlement of Treaty claims enabled several iwi to establish new business ventures and investments. Many of these were in agriculture, with several big dairy ventures launched including Miraka Limited, a new dairy processing company. New areas of Māori business innovation were also explored including opportunities in geothermal energy and technology.

Iwi economic initiatives continued to provide a platform for social development, with many providing training, scholarships and career opportunities to iwi descendants and tauiwi. The Bank of New Zealand also announced plans to create 10 cadet positions for Māori in the business banking sector.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment published a snapshot of the Māori economy in 2013. It is available at: www.mbie.govt.nz/what-we-do/maori-economic-development/maori-economy-factsheet-236-kb-pdf.