On Wednesday the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill was read a second time. On Thursday the third and final reading of the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill was completed. The Bill now awaits Royal Assent. This means that this first stage of
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Federation of Māori Authorities and Business New Zealand agree a Memorandum of Understanding Last Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Federation of Māori Authorities (the Federation) and Business New Zealand. The memorandum is designed to ensure the two parties work together more formally in the best interests
On Wednesday the Ministry of Social Development released Benefit Factsheets for the second quarter (1 April to 30 June 2012). The data shows 320,041 people in the working-aged population, (18-64 years), were receiving one of the main benefits. Māori comprise 33.1% of these beneficiaries. We have collated key Māori
Four treaty bills are progressed through Parliament On Thursday four treaty settlement bills each had a second reading in Parliament. The settlement bills were for Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Mākino, and the owners of Maraeroa A and B Blocks. The third (and final) readings for the respective bills are expected
Over the last two weeks the Waitangi Tribunal has been hearing the urgent claims of the New Zealand Māori Council (the Council). These claims are WAI 2357 (objection to the partial sale of State-Owned Enterprises), and WAI 2354 (ownership rights to freshwater and geothermal energy). The hearing concludes today, and
Purpose This paper provides a summary of significant Māori-focused social, economic and treaty policy developments for the quarter 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012. Over this quarter there has been a sharper focus on new policy developments, and associated legislative reforms. This reflects the Government’s annual timetable, with the
Last Wednesday Nelson-based Wakatū Incorporation lost a High Court claim against the Crown for claimed breaches of fiduciary duty, and good faith in its dealings with the Māori owners of land in the Nelson and Motueka regions. The decision allows the Crown to proceed with Treaty settlements with iwi groupings
The Mixed Ownership Model Bill On Tuesday the State-Owned Enterprises Amendment Bill and the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Bill passed a third reading in parliament, and now await Royal Assent to become law. This is the legislation that allows for partial privatisation of state-owned energy companies. Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Tainui Holdings Group and Waikato Tainui Fisheries Limited have reported an operating net profit of circa $21 million for the year ending 31 March 2012, (up from $15 million in the previous year). The return on shareholder funds was 10.3% and total assets were valued at $694 million.
Tiroa E and Te Hape B Trusts (Ngāti Rereahu) have indicated that their attempt to purchase two of the former Crafar dairy farms has been unsuccessful. They have indicated that the price sought by incoming owners, Shanghai Pengxin, was artificially inflated. The Trusts will therefore continue their legal challenge against
In response to the Better Public Service target established to reduce youth offending, on Thursday Associate Justice Minister, Chester Borrows, announced there will be a review of the Youth Offending (Prevention) Strategy.[1] We note the strategy is already ten years old, and youth offending has not fallen in that period,
To assist in achieving educational targets in the Better Public Services framework – such as 85% of all 18 year-olds achieving NCEA level 2 by 2017 – the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, has established a cross-sector education forum. This forum held its first meeting this week. The forum includes
On Monday the Prime Minister, John Key, and Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, announced that targets have now been established for the ‘Better Public Services’ results areas. These performance targets are quantifiable and time bound, and sit undertaken the ten ‘result areas / challenges’ established in March (refer pānui 9/2012
Sir Eddie Durie and Maanu Paul have been appointed co-chairs of the New Zealand Māori Council. Sir Graham Latimer becomes the first president of the organisation. The Council has also indicated that it is the only legislatively-enabled, pan-Māori organisation – and should be a natural choice for Crown-Māori dialogue. (We
On Wednesday the Department of State (United States of America) released its annual report on people trafficking. The 395-page report, entitled Trafficking in Persons 2012, provides an overview of global people trafficking, and the quality of attempts by Governments to reduce this (i.e. forced labour, child soldiers, forced prostitution, etc