N.Z. in ‘state of turmoil’ over Maori devolution

Press, 21 May 1988, Page 5

N.Z. in ‘state of turmoil’ over Maori devolution

By

JANE ENGLAND

New Zealand is in a state of turmoil, with Maori people taking a united stand on decisions which affect their future, the South Island’s regional director of the Maori Affairs Department, Mr Bill Edwards, said yesterday.

Meetings held in marae around New Zealand to discuss the Government’s new policy for Maori development proved that the days of Maori apathy are past, he said. The fury generated by the death sentence placed on the Maori Affairs Department could. only be compared to the farmers’ . reaction to economic policies. Mr Edwards said the reaction reflected faltering Maori trust, not necessarily towards the Government, but the power structure it represents. “History has shown that Maori people are frank and up-front people who would honour a handshake — the Treaty of Waitangi proved that. “But from that day to this, that sacred document has been dishonoured by Governments. I think the people are feeling that if that sacred document could not be given the cognizance it deserved, how can the Government be trusted today.” Maori people have complained that they are being punished for past

mistakes by the removal of the department. The Government has acknowledged that the Maori loans scandal and other errors stemming from the department made it less willing to hand over the reins for Maori development.

Devolution or the ceding of power in Maori matters, particularly finance, will now be strictly controlled.

This has created a backlash within the Maori movement. They have

repeatedly complained that pakeha or Government mistakes are rarely magnified to the extent of those made by Maoris. “Look at the tremendous amount of money wasted on the Marsden Point oil refinery,” said Mr Edwards. “The best minds in the world have been telling the Government that was a mistake. Yet people feel the Government is saying it has to control Maori people because they have fouled up.” The Government has already acknowledged that the Ngai Tahu and Tainui are two tribes which would be able to control their affairs with authority. The Chairman of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board, Mr Tipene O’Regan, has said that the tribe is investigating a tribal structure to incorporate full Maori development. However, the Government must be prepared to recognise the authority of the local tribe over the area, he said. The tribal authority

would accept the responsibility to administer general programmes with equity, he said. “Both the Mana and Access programmes already have a majority of non-Ngai Tahu representation.” Elders from other tribes within the Ngai Tahu region are making moves to implement a structure which would provide links with tribal authorities in other areas. Although many Maori people are mourning the loss of a symbol for security which has been represented by the department, Mr Edwards has suggested that the change would be positive. “A more even distribution of Maori people in all Government departments is a step toward a more fair and just society and a step away from tokenism,” he said. “At the end of discussions many Maori people are beginning to realise that the country is in a state of turmoil, history is being created and it is a major step forward for Maori people.?’