New Zealand Parliamentary Debate

Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill [4456]

Minister, Race Relations, as the member for Te Tai Tonga would know, as he was as Minister of Education- Interruption I do not know that the member should do that- and as he is now Minister for Economic Development. But in 2004 the new Coordinating Minister, Race Relations said that many references to the Treaty of Waitangi in legislation may not be relevant and that he would be reviewing references to the Treaty in legislation. Did he do anything? No, of course he did not. Then, in February 2004, he said that the Treaty was in quite a few Acts and that principles are set in them that are quite inconsistent and in some cases a bit incoherent-just like he is at question time.

So this bill provides an opportunity for the select committee to look at this legislation-because I agree there are some inconsistent and incoherent references to the Treaty-and do a decent job to tidy it up. As a member of the Justice and Electoral Committee-

Darren Hughes

: Deputy chair.

CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON

: deputy chairman, as the boy wonder from Otaki says-I look forward to receiving this bill in the select committee, having a good look at it, and seeing whether we can do something with it because, even though it is flawed in its present form, it does raise a number of important issues. I think that if the select committee does its job we can tidy it up very well.

Hon STEVE MAHAREY( Minister of Education):

It is good to follow on from the new member, who is, of course, a neighbour of mine. It is good to see him on his feet in the House. I would have to say, though, that one of the things he should not do in the House is start deriding somebody else's label. Mr Mapp's label of PC Eradicator must be one of the most stupid titles ever invented in this House. But I acknowledge that although it sounds as though National members this evening intend to send this bill to a select committee, in the hope that there may be some clarification, they are themselves saying they will not be voting for the bill.

That brings me to my colleagues from New Zealand First, and I acknowledge the New Zealand First folk in the House. We are watching, I think, one of the more sophisticated aspects of MMP operating this evening. One of the things about MMP that New Zealanders are getting their heads around at the present time is something that all parties in the House are now well used to-they have been in situations like this-that is, minority Governments. It means, of course, that Governments have to work out situations with other parties in terms of their partnerships or their agreements on confidence and supply. What we are talking about tonight is part of New Zealand First's agreement. New Zealand First understands that what we will say about this bill will reflect not only that agreement but also the opinions of the Labour part of the Government.

So that brings me to the bill and, for members who have been in the House for a little while, we are back on familiar ground. This member's bill is the identical member's bill that was introduced in February 2005 by the Rt Hon Winston Peters. Its purpose is to remove all references to the expressions the principles of the Treaty, the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles from a range of specified statutes. It also proposes to repeal any regulations promulgated under statutes that refer to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. In other words, the New Zealand First Party has something against the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Pita Paraone

: Tell us what they are.

Hon STEVE MAHAREY

: Mr Paraone is asking what they are, and during the debate those New Zealand First members will hear a great number of those principles outlined, such as partnership, a principle like all the P words that go with that, which of course will be talked about through the debate.