Govt seeks Chathams consultants

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 15

Govt seeks Chathams consultants

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

The Government expects its wide-ranging review of the economy and constitutional position of the Chatham Islands to be completed within a twomonth period. This time frame was set out in the advertisement seeking consultants to undertake the review. Yesterday’s advertisement said the review would be “wide-ranging and provide a basis for the consideration of future Government assistance to the islands.” Consultants would be required to undertake extensive consultation on the Chathams as well as on the mainland, taking care to consult all relevant groups to ensure a balanced perspective. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr Bassett, said it was intended that the results of the review pro-

vide ways for the Chatham Islands to achieve greater self-reliance and maximise the choices available to them. It would analyse the Chathams fishing industry and levels of Government assistance, recommending ways of making both more effective. It would also recommend alternative constitutional arrangements on the Chathams and between the Chathams and New Zealand, he said. The review has already been criticised by the Chathams’ leaders for being too negative and too imprecise in its wording. Efforts would continue to get terms of reference for the review that were agreed on by the Chathams and the Government rather than imposed by the Government on the Chathams, said the deputy chairman of the Chatham Islands County Council, Mr Pat Smith.