KEY POINTS:
Midnight tonight is the deadline for Maori to lodge historical claims over Treaty breaches with the Waitangi Tribunal.
But while National and Labour say the deadline is good for iwi and the country, the Maori Party says it would revisit the issue if it was part of the next government.
Tomorrow the tribunal will still have jurisdiction over contemporary breaches, but any claim relating to a Crown act or omission before September 21, 1992, has to be filed today.
If it is not lodged the tribunal cannot investigate because of a 2006 amendment to the 1975 Treaty of Waitangi Act which set the deadline.
Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said while he wasn't adverse to a cut-off point for historical grievances, September 1 was picked in a political environment which was more concerned about winding up the the so-called "Treaty industry's gravy train", rather than for any concern for settling claims justly, he said.
If more claims came to light after today the party wanted them looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Those cases would also be weighed against evidence presented to the Waitangi Tribunal and not dismissed because of the missed deadline.
"At the end of the day justice must be seen to be done - and the only way that can be done is to allow people to put their case.
"The problem is [other political parties] don't seem to have a back-up plan if more claims come to light."
But Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said nothing was to be gained by extending the deadline.
The sooner iwi settled the quicker economic benefits could flow back to them.
"One thing you learn in this game is if you want to create a solid foundation for your people you've got to make decisions for your future."
National spokesman Chris Finlayson said on the face of it limitations laws seemed harsh, but the interest of claimants, the Crown and the public had to be balanced, and there had to be an end to litigation.
Last chance:
Anyone with a historical claim must contact the Waitangi Tribunal by midnight:
Phone: 04-914-3000.
Fax: 04-914-3001.
Email: WT.Registrar@justice.govt.nz
