Maori Land Court sitting marking 150 years. Photo/File
Maori Land Court sitting marking 150 years. Photo/File
Labour is hosting a hui in Rotorua next week for those who have concerns about changes to Te Ture Whenua Act.
The hui is on Monday and is hosted by Labour's Waiariki candidate Tamati Coffey, who has been critical of the changes and Maori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell who has supported them.
Mr Coffey said this was the most important legislative change for Maori landowners in more than 30 years but he said most of those he spoke to told him they were confused and uninformed.
But Mr Flavell said Mr Coffey's comments were "typical Labour rhetoric", because the final bill was the result of six years of discussions, more than 580 submissions and more than 170 hui and wananga.
Mr Coffey said it was concerning people were not even aware multiple changes had been made to the act, since it was first proposed more than two years ago.
Labour candidate for Waiariki Tamati Coffey. Photo/File
With special guest, Meka Whaitiri, Labour's MP for Ikaroa Rawhiti, the public meeting will be held at the Whakarewarewa Rugby Club, from 6pm on May 22.
"Meka has been at the forefront of holding the National-Maori Party government to account, and consistently pulling this issue back into the light. Having her at this hui, to listen to the concerns of Maori landowners and to reveal to them how these dangerous changes will affect their rights to their whenua will be fantastic."
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo/File
Mr Flavell said there had been a lot said about the imminent passing of the bill recently and so there should, given it's the biggest improvement to Maori land law for 20 years.
He said on top of the consultation it had also been the result of input from the Maori Land Court judges, academics, Maori incorporations, community law centres and land trusts both big and small.
Mr Flavell said more than anything else, it's the result of the views of over 3000 whanau and land owners.
"Every individual contribution has made the bill stronger," he said.
"To say Te Arawa is opposed to the Bill is wrong. There are many different voices in this conversation."
There is an average of 100 owners for each land block of Maori land, and many owners have interests in more than one block.
"There are more separate interests than there are Maori," Mr Flavell said.
"So no bill will satisfy everyone entirely."
Te Ture Whenua Maori Changes
Public Works Act 1981 - The criteria for acquiring Maori freehold land have been strengthened. - Acquiring agencies will have to consider the principles of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act if they wish to acquire Maori land. - Te Tiriti o Waitangi is central to the application of laws affecting Maori land. - Changes to the offer back process in the Public Works Act will mean more former Maori land can be returned to Maori ownership if it becomes surplus. - The Maori Land Court will be able to be involved in vesting land that is offered back. - Where land was taken as Maori land, it will be returned as Maori freehold land. - The Land Valuation Tribunal will be chaired by a Maori Land Court judge to deal with Maori land pricing issues. - If Maori land is acquired under the Public Works Act it will no longer be valued lower than other land.
Ratings - The bill will provide for two dwellings on a marae to not be rated. These changes will also allow councils to make additional housing associated with a marae non-rateable. - The bill will allow separately owned housing on multiple-owned Maori land to be eligible for rates rebates. - Two or more land blocks used jointly will be able to be treated as a single block for rating. Currently Maori land cannot take advantage of single unit rating to the same extent as other land. - Rates relief for land specifically reserved or covenanted for historical, cultural and scenic reasons.
Family Protection Act 1955 - The Maori Land Court will have the power to hear and decide claims that ensure whanau members are fairly treated when a whanau member dies.
Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 - The Maori Land Court will have the power to hear and decide claims against an estate with interests in Maori freehold land - Existing property rights of non-Maori owners will be protected by enabling them to form a whanau trust so that the interests can be kept as a family asset. - If a whanau trust is not formed, interests in land can be transferred to their children, but not future generations. If the owner who had more than one child died without a will, a whanau trust would automatically be created.
