By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says the Government is looking at whether law governing Crown-owned minerals "adequately provides for the Crown's ongoing obligations to Maori under the Treaty of Waitangi."
He made the statement in Parliament yesterday, under pressure from within the Government over its policy of excluding crown minerals in treaty settlements
He said later the move had been approved by the cabinet on March 20.
He would not speculate on where the review might specifically lead or what issues it would examine apart from whether Maori were being adequately consulted.
Associate Energy Minister Paul Swain will be responsible for the review in tandem with Mr Horomia.
The issue flared this week because of oil royalty claims by Taranaki iwi now before the Waitangi Tribunal.
Mr Swain said the tribunal's decision would have no effect because it would not change Government policy.
He has been backed up by Prime Minister Helen Clark, but his comments have infuriated the claimants and Maori Government MPs, as well as drawing criticism from Maori Land Court Chief Judge Joe Williams, presiding over the case.
Maori MPs are also disputing Helen Clark's suggestion that they had approved the crown minerals policy without a fuss.
Alliance MP Willie Jackson said neither he nor his colleague Sandra Lee had been consulted and he believed Mr Swain had undermined the tribunal process.
He has asked for an apology from Mr Swain, who could not be contacted last night.
Horomia promises minerals review
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