"For the last two or three decade the relationship has been based around the negotiating table and we're saying, after settlements have been made, how should the Crown and Maori be relating to each other?"
The Crown-Maori Relations portfolio was established by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Government's commitment to a strong, ongoing and healthy relationship with Maori.
Davis said he was interested to see if issues expressed at hui in other regions were also raised in Hawke's Bay.
"I have to say that in the seven hui we've had so far there are some very common themes that are emerging from discussions and it's giving us ideas in terms of what the Crown could look to work on and improve."
Frustration with local government, difficulties working in the context of bureaucracies and issues with the Department of Conservation's treatment of land were all key themes that had emerged so far, he said.
"Maori say they want to be engaged in those decisions. So if I could pull a general theme together it's actually engaging more with Maoridom.
"We're at the bottom of most of the negative statistics and Maori are saying 'we've got answers, we want to be able to work together as partners with the government and not just have the government impose things on us'."
The Minister said it was exciting to be a part of the hui, which was closed to the media, and said he considered listening to the people an extremely important step to take.
"One of the things that I'm hearing is they're really grateful we're taking this opportunity and that the government is actually listening and not imposing things.
"The challenge from here is to convert all the discussions into something that's going to move us forward. Everybody wants the same thing; we want New Zealand to be a prosperous, successful and harmonious society in the coming decades and over the next century."
Those who couldn't attend today's hui can fill out a feedback form that can be found at www.justice.govt.nz/crown-maori.
