Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:660;Page:8824] 
12. 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
 to the  
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 
: Kua whiwhi i a ia he ripoata e pa ana ki nga whiriwhiringa o te Kotahitanga o Tamaki Makaurau me Te Hiku o te Ika? 
[ 
Has he received any reports regarding the negotiations involving the Tamaki Makaurau collective and Te Hiku o te Ika? 
] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 Yes. I have seen numerous reports about the agreements in principle signed with the five iwi of the Te Hiku Forum on 15 January. These reports are focused on progress in the area and the economic benefits likely to result from the settlements. I very much want to acknowledge the assistance given to me and to the iwi by Hone Harawira. He did a great job. I have also seen reports about the Crown’s offer to the Tamaki collective that noted that the Crown had made a breakthrough in the tangle of overlapping interests in the region which were highlighted by the Waitangi Tribunal’s 2007 report. Tomorrow the Minister of Maori Affairs and I will be signing agreements in principle with the Tamaki collective Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Te Kawerau-a-Maki. I acknowledge the great help I have received from Dr Sharples in this regard. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Na te aha i tatu ai nga tono a Te Hiku o te Ika mai i te wa tuatahi i tukuna to ratou tono a e 23 tau ratou e pukukaha ana kia tatu aua tono? 
[ 
In the case of Te Hiku o te Ika what factors are responsible for this Government being able to achieve the breakthrough towards reaching a settlement after 23 years of hard work since claims were first lodged? 
] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: There are a number of factors. First I want to acknowledge the Chief Crown Negotiator Pat Snedden who has done a great job. Secondly I want to acknowledge the leadership and vision of those iwi negotiators who have represented their people at the negotiating table for many many years. Thirdly we have trialled new ideas an example of which is the pilot scheme that places public servants back in their iwi so that they can help their iwi with negotiations. I also have to say that a key factor has been the very positive contribution of the Maori Party. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: He aha ta nga hapu o Ngati Whatua me nga iwi ara a Te Kawarau-a-Maki a Ngai Tai ki Tamaki a Ngati Te Ata a Te Aki Tai a Ngati Tamaoho ratau ko Hauraki Marutuahu kia whakarauikahia ratau ki raro i te ropu hou kua tapaina ko nga Manawhenua o Tamaki-makau-rau a he aha nga korero kua wanangahia e raua ko te Minita mo nga Kawana a-Rohe mo tenei ropu rangatira? 
[ 
What has been the response of various Ngati Whatua groups—namely Te Kawarau-a-Maki Ngai Tai ki Tamaki Ngati Te Ata Ngati Tamaoho and Hauraki Marutuahu people—to the establishment of a new collective body called Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki-makau-rau and what discussions has he had with the Minister of Local Government about this special entity? 
] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I think there has been very good support for the establishment of the collective and in my discussions with the iwi they have acknowledged that this is a vehicle that can really help them move ahead after the years of division. I have also worked very closely with the local MP Dr Sharples in developing this proposal with Sir Douglas Graham and his support has been invaluable. 
Hon Shane Jones 
: Ka aha te Minita ina puta nga hamumu me nga whakahe mai i te hapori Pakeha ki te tinihanga o te ingoa ki Te Oneroa a Tohe mai i te Ninety Mile Beach? 
[ 
What will the Minister do if complaints and opposing views are made by the non-Maori sector of the community about the change of name from Ninety Mile Beach to Te Oneroa-a-Tohe? 
] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: The Minister will say to those people that public access is guaranteed and that the very historical rights and interests of the local iwi need to be respected. If the member had turned up at Ahipara on 15 January—I was hoping he would because I was looking forward to seeing him—we could have had that discussion.