‘Maori’ definition will be widened

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33579, 6 July 1974, Page 3

‘Maori ’ definition will be widened

(Hew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 5. For most purposes, a “Maori" in future will be a person with any Maori blood, according to the Maori Affairs Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament this afternoon.

The bill, introduced by the Minister of • Maori Affairs (Mr Rata), amends the previous definition, which said that a Maori was someone of half or more Maori blood.

Generally the bill fol- | lows the proposals outlined last year in a White Paper i on Maori affairs. Other main features are that the bill: Repeals a 1968 law which amalgamated the Maori Affairs and Island Affairs Departments. Abolishes the Board of Maori: Affairs and sets up a Maori Land Board, supported by Maori land: advisory committees. Restores the principle of' hereditary ownership of: land, and restores some! rights removed by the; Maori Affairs Amend-: ment Act in 1967. Gives Maori landowners a! greater say when “aliena-; tion” of land is proposed.) Officially recognises the) Maori language as the) “ancestral tongue” of! New Zealand. From next vear !

Most provisions of the bill will come into force on January 1 next. year. Before then, the measure will be considered by the Parliamentary Select Commitee on Maori Affairs, which will hold public heariiigs. Opposition speakers said I they opposed much of the| bill,, especially those parts; Changing the principles of the; late Mr J. R. Hanan’s act, of 1967. The Opposition spokesman on Maori affairs (Mr A. McCready) said that it seemed anyone who “rides a pushbike past a marae” would be able to claim to be a Maori. Mr Rata said the bill arose from Labour’s election undertakings, and from representa-; tions made by Maoris. It did not include two; topics — the difficulties of I land-locked land, and the pro-; tection of artefacts — which: needed more study, and could; be covered by amendments to general law. ‘Social identity’ The new definition of a Maori catered for social; identity rather than adminis-: trative convenience, said the: Minister. A wide variety ofi

law took the definition of Maori as that in the Maori Affairs Act, which in future will be: "A person of the! Maori race' in New Zealand.; and any descendant of such' a person.” The new Maori Land Board' would have powers similar to; those of the existing board J but would be required to give: effect to any Government: policies conveyed to it by the! Minister of Maori Affairs. The advisory committees would have powers delegated to them by the board, but they .would provide Maori people with the chance qf being associated in their own affairs at a local level. Compulsory vesting in the Public Trustee of the “uneconomic interest” in Maori land: at the point of succession is abolished under the bill, and the “alienation” provisions; give owners a greater say in!

any proposals to sell, lease, \ or use land. The bill establishes new I criteria for the Maori Land j Court to consider before any Maori land is "alienated out rof Maori hands,” and in- . creases the quorum of owners i required for a meeting to coni sider alienation proposals, i Maori landowners whose ; land changed in status as a 'result of the 1967 law may have their land restored to'l its original status. The Maori language recognition takes regard to dialects; land idioms, as well as the; I basic language. It also empowers the Minister of Maori Affairs to take steps to en-i courage the learning and use’ lof Maori language. The bill allows the Minister to apply to the Maori Land, i Court to set aside as a reserve any area of land having: 'historic, spiritual, or emotional association for'Maoris,, and new provisions are provided for action to be taken iwhen Maori land is needed.' !for public purposes.