The Māori Development Minister, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, says that Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill intends to reform Māori land law via the complete realisation of the land’s use. Determined to ensure the correctness in legislation and its accompanying proposals, Mr Flavell says that his goal is to implement reforms that seek to make it easier for Māori landowners to legally utilise their property.
A Maori land attorney draws upon years of experience in the representation of Māori when dealing with the legal issues they face. These issues, which may involve the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) and the Conservation Department and Land Information NZ (LINZ), should be tackled.
With the help of an advisory group, Te Puni Kōkiri and other Crown agencies, Mr Flavell has identified the development needed in future proposals concerning the land of the Māori. The land service involved in the Bill aims to provide the necessary support and advice to landowners and the governing bodies. The Ture Whenua Network, meanwhile, serves to discuss the issues like landlocked land and property valuation.
Protecting the Rights of Māori
New Zealand and Aotearoa are not too popular when it comes to the rights of indigenous people. New Zealand’s legal system has also been lacking in the implementation of international and domestic laws that protect the Rights of Māori. The Foreshore Seabed Act of 2004, for instance, came into effect despite near-universal opposition from the Māori. The said Act manifests itself in extinguishing the aboriginal title the Māori has to the areas.
Cultural Survival states that the problem roots itself in the structure of the nation’s legal system. Since the Aotearoa and New Zealand Parliament retain absolute sovereignty, protecting human rights and the rights of indigenous people have become difficult. As a nation wherein legislation cannot be contested for the due inconsistency with human rights, the Parliament can do what it wants – even if it disregards the interests of the Māori.
Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill serves to change all these with the proposed amendments. The Bill includes the empowerment and encouragement of Māori land owners, wherein they can decide without needing approval from the Māori Land Court. Conclusively, the Bill will be beneficial for the Māori and protect their interests to guarantee their survival.