Labour Waiariki candidate Tamati Coffey addresses the Te Ture Whenua hui. Photo/Alice Guy
More than 50 people attended a hui for those concerned about changes to the Te Ture Whenua Act.
The Labour-led event was hosted by Labour's Waiariki candidate Tamati Coffey, who has been critical of proposed changes.
Dr Ken Kennedy opened the event with a karakia before handing over to MC Haydn Marriner.
The event attracted representatives from the Green Party, Mana Party, New Zealand First and the Maori Party.
Mr Coffey spoke about why he hosted the event.
"If you leave tonight better informed, then I have done my part," he said.
Mr Coffey said his biggest issue with the bill was he believed its submissions process failed.
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into the submissions process found "without more, properly informed and broad support for the bill, then the Government is in breach of the Treaty", he said.
A slide show shown during the hui said the Waitangi Tribunal's recommendation was that further engagement was needed with Maori on a national scale.
A 2016 petition to Parliament had more than 5000 signatures opposing the reforms.
"It feels like he [Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell] is going to ignore it and push on through," Mr Coffey said.
However, Mr Flavell, who is also the Waiariki MP, had previously told the Rotorua Daily Post the final bill was the result of six years of discussions, more than 580 submissions and more than 170 hui and wananga.
Mr Flavell was not at the hui but said last week Labour was wrong. He said there had been a lot said about the imminent passing of the bill 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 more than 3000 whanau and land owners.
At Monday's hui, Maanu Paul outlined his own experience with Te Ture Whenua through his time as a land owner and on the New Zealand Maori Council.
"If the wheel is not broken, why do we mend it?" he said.
Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti Meka Whaitiri showed the crowd the current Te Ture Whenua Act and the proposed new bill.
In her slide show she addressed her concern for reduced powers of the Maori Land Court.
"This is not a Maori land reform bill - it's a Maori land court reform bill," she said.
Mr Coffey said all eyes would be on the Budget this week.
"My fear is that there'll be nothing in the Budget for the proposed new Maori Land Service," he said.
A participation threshold system will be put in place for trust decision making.
The proposal was presented to staff at Kinleith Mill at a meeting this morning.