Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:620;Page:15460] 
10.  
GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Can he confirm his reported statement that Tainui concerns about whether the Foreshore and Seabed Bill cuts across claims over the Waikato River and west coast harbours will have to be worked through as it goes through the House; if so what action has he taken so far to work through Tainui’s concerns? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I can confirm that Tainui has raised the issue of whether their claim over the Waikato River and west coast harbours will be affected by the foreshore and seabed legislation that is currently progressing through the select committee process. I can confirm that the Crown has met with Tainui representatives on several occasions this year as it has done with other iwi. Assurances were given at these meetings that the foreshore and seabed legislation does not pre-empt any future treaty settlements and negotiations. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: If as his colleague the Hon John Tamihere stated yesterday the Minister is part of an “open robust and transparent Government” then why will he not reveal the Government’s intention to negotiate with iwi over the foreshore and seabed rather than striking backroom deals to grant them ownership interests while telling the public that the Crown will own the foreshore and seabed? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: This Government is very transparent and we are not doing any backroom deals. 
Moana Mackey 
: How does the foreshore and seabed legislation impact on Tainui’s historical claims? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Tainui’s historical claims are not affected by the proposed foreshore and seabed legislation. The legislation provides for a forward-looking regime for the recognition of existing or surviving customary rights and interests. It also addresses any potential effects on existing customary rights and interests resulting from the vesting of full title in the Crown. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Will the negotiations that he and his fellow Ministers are having with Tainui now result in seabed and foreshore partial ownership being accorded to Tainui? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: As the member will be aware the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act 1995 provided for settlement of Waikato Tainui’s raupatu claims. Their claims to the Waikato River and west coast harbours remain unsettled and we are working on it. That member’s party did all the easy bits; we are doing the tough bits. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Will the negotiations that the Minister and his fellow Ministers are having with Tainui result in some of the seabed and foreshore of this country passing into some form of ownership for Tainui? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: That matter is the subject of ongoing discussions and it will be resolved when we resolve it. 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: Is the Minister aware of any treaty settlements that have involved the transfer of ownership of the foreshore and seabed to iwi? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: No. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I thought that this Minister might be on top of his portfolio but if he likes to look at the arrangements around Te Waihora in the South Island— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I declare that a vexatious point of order. It was unnecessary and was made just to make a political point. That was not a point of order and the member knows it.