In December the Government released its fifth ‘progress report’ on its Business Growth Agenda. This report, which is actually a strategic plan, is focused on the use of natural resources. [The Business Growth Agenda (BGA) is the Government’s plan for improving New Zealand’s economic performance. It has six distinct focus
Author: Paanui
In December Justice Young, of the Wellington High Court, released his findings in relation to the case of the New Zealand Māori Council et. al., centred on Māori ownership interests in freshwater and geothermal resources. In essence, the claimants had challenged the lawfulness of the Government’s decision to sell shares
• Mana Party leader, Hone Harawira, appeared in Court on Thursday in relation to a charge of failing to remove a vehicle (at a protest concerning state housing removals last month). He pleaded not guilty. A hearing is scheduled for March next year. There was some initial ado with this
Cold Creek Rural Water Supply Bill This week the Cold Creek Rural Water Supply Bill was read for a second time in parliament. This bill provides for a private water scheme to be established in South Taranaki, for a group of entities (mainly farms) drawing water from ‘Cold Creek’. The
Ngāti Pāoa sign Tāmaki Collective Deed of Settlement Last Saturday Ngāti Pāoa became the eleventh iwi to sign the Tāmaki Collective Deed of Settlement in Auckland. In September ten iwi initially signed the deed (refer pānui E32/2012 for details on this settlement). Ngāti Toa signs Deed of Settlement Today Ngāti
On Wednesday the Minister for Primary Industries, David Carter, declared the Psa-V vine disease as a medium-scale biosecurity event. Along with this status announcement, Mr Carter also announced further Government support measures for affected growers. Before the disease struck, the kiwifruit industry was valued at $1.5 billion, with Māori interests
Ngāi Tahu has announced the iwi is entering into a public-private partnership with the Crown to build a blood donor and laboratory centre in Christchurch. This follows a partnership between Ngāi Tahu and the Christchurch City Council to rebuild the Christchurch Civic Building. .
This week the Government indicated that Brazil oil company, Petrobras, was exiting its oil exploration activities in New Zealand, and had returned its permit for that activity. Petrobras’ permit for oil extraction along the North Island’s East Coast had been strongly opposed by Te Whānau-a-Apanui, and protest action last year
Last month we advised that the Māori spectrum coalition had confirmed that they would reactivate an urgent claim on radio spectrum, as discussions with the Government on Māori rights to this resource had not been fruitful (refer to pānui 39/2012 for details). Overall on this matter we advised that: spectrum
On Tuesday the Kōhanga Reo National Trust made a submission to the Māori Affairs Select Committee, in relation to its Waitangi Tribunal Claim (WAI 2336, refer pānui 36/2012 for details on this matter.) The Trust requested that the Committee unanimously agree that the Government adopt all of the recommendations of
We also advise that on Tuesday the Government released its six economic priorities (‘Business Growth Agenda’) for next three years these being: (i) Capital markets; (ii) Innovation and ideas; (iii) Skilled and safe workplaces; (iv) Natural resources; (v) Infrastructure (including electricity, broadband, transport); and (vi) Export markets. These items are
On Tuesday the Māori Economic Panel released a discussion document on strategic approaches to improve the Māori economy. By way of background, this independent Panel was established by Cabinet last September and is tasked with developing both a Strategy and an Action Plan to improve the performance of the Māori
Te Rarawa iwi members have ratified the Treaty Settlement Deed initialled between Te Rarawa and the Crown last November. The settlement offer is valued at circa $70 million and consists of land, buildings and financial redress.
Iwi members have approved the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa / Tamaki Nui a Rua Trust Treaty Settlement Mandate. This means formal negotiations with the Crown can now commence.
On Monday the Waitangi Tribunal began hearing the claim of the Kōhanga Reo movement, WAI 2336. As we advised last June, the claim alleges fourteen main breaches of the Treaty, which centre on the failure of the Crown to adequately support and respect the Kōhanga Reo National Trust and individual