Ministers at odds over treaty review

By RUTH BERRY

Friction is emerging between Government ministers over a treaty settlement policy review, with John Tamihere pushing for changes Margaret Wilson says will not be on the table.

Ms Wilson, the Treaty Negotiations Minister, is expected to announce a significant package of changes to the settlement process within the month.

She said last week this may include placing a time limit on the lodging of historic claims with the Waitangi Tribunal.

Sources told the Herald yesterday tighter targets on the settlement of claims are also being considered.

Changes to legislation around post-settlement governance entities and others designed to streamline settlement legislation are also likely.

And Ms Wilson confirmed yesterday changes to the operation of treaty landbanks, which hold surplus Crown land for potential settlement use, had also just been signed off by Cabinet.

But Mr Tamihere has gone a step further, suggesting the Government should change its controversial policy of prioritising settlement negotiations with claimants who cluster together in what the Crown calls "large natural groups".

Mr Tamihere raised the matter at the presentation of the Crown Forestry Rental Trust's annual report in Wellington yesterday.

He said later the trust opposed the policy and "where I absolutely agree with them is that forcing settlements with so-called natural groups can lead to quite unnatural results".

It could delay the speed of settlement negotiations and sometimes created unnecessary "acrimony between claimants".

"I'm saying that the minister in charge of treaty settlements is reviewing the Government's position in that regard right now."

Another policy change he wanted would allow claimants to settle forestry-only claims, rather than being forced to settle them as part of wider "comprehensive" settlements.

His comments are believed to have raised eyebrows in Ms Wilson's office, with sources saying she has not been investigating a change.

She issued a statement last night saying there would be "absolutely no change" to the large natural grouping policy.

The Government retained flexibility about negotiating with smaller groups, however, and had done so in several instances, she added.

The Government has argued it will ultimately result in faster resolution of settlements.

The landbanking changes will see some properties not suitable for treaty settlements sold in an effort to reduce the growing size and cost of the bank.

Claimant groups will be consulted before the properties, the maintenance of which is costly, are disposed of.