Harawira Hone: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Harawira Hone: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:642;Page:11779] 
9.  
HONE HARAWIRA (Maori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Ka aki ia i te Kawanatanga ki te tautoko i te Kawenata Whakapuaki o te Paremata Kotahitanga o te Ao mo nga Iwi Taketake o te Ao apopo nei poti ai te tekau ma toru o Mahuru rua mano ma whitu ara he kawenata whakapuaki kua mahi nei te iwi taketake ki te whakatutuki mo nga tau rua tekau ma wha ki muri? 
[ 
Will he put pressure on the Government to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which will be voted on tomorrow 13 September 2007 a declaration that indigenous people have been working on for the last 24 years? 
] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Customs) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Maori Affairs 
: No. 
Hone Harawira 
: Does the Minister of Maori Affairs agree that indigenous peoples should have the right to maintain and strengthen their own institutions cultures and traditions; to establish control and provide education in their own language; to live in freedom peace and security as distinct peoples; to enjoy full and effective participation in all matters that concern them; to have full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms; to freely determine their political status; to freely pursue their economic social and cultural development; to be free from discrimination; and to not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: Many aspects of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will resonate here in New Zealand but it would be difficult for the Government to take a position on an international declaration that is incompatible with New Zealand democratic processes and domestic legislation. 
Darien Fenton 
: What is the Government’s position on the Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: I have been advised that the draft declaration is incompatible with the Government’s position. Tomorrow’s vote will reflect that. 
Hone Harawira 
: Does the Minister of Maori Affairs agree with the comments of Ms Tauli-Corpuz Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and co-ordinator of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a historic milestone for the indigenous peoples who have been working on it for more than 22 years and that States have a historical and moral obligation to adopt the declaration which she characterised as the “key instrument and tool for raising awareness on indigenous people’s situations and indigenous people’s rights.”; if so when is he planning on speaking out against his own Government’s stated opposition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: There has been quite a long discourse on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and quite recently it has been referred to as an aspirational document. In fact during question time in the House last week one of the concerns I pointed to was that many countries intend to support it but have no intention of implementing it. That just cannot be the case. 
Hone Harawira 
: Does the Minister of Maori Affairs agree with his colleague Nanaia Mahuta’s comments that “the Minister is well aware that New Zealand has called for open and transparent consultations on the text”—of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—“and he is disappointed that such consultations did not eventuate despite the continued efforts of a number of countries including New Zealand to trigger such a process.”; given his support for the consultation process can he please explain to the House why there has been no formal consultation on the declaration with any of the major iwi in this country the New Zealand Maori Council the Maori Women’s Welfare League the iwi chairpersons’ forum the Federation of Maori Authorities or the Maori Party which happens to hold the majority of the parliamentary seats representing the indigenous people of Aotearoa? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: Yes; no extensive consultation has been undertaken with a number of groups interested in this matter. 
Darien Fenton 
: What has the Government done to improve opportunities for Maori? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: Regardless of any international instruments this Government is committed to ensuring that Maori participate equally and successfully in New Zealand’s economy and society. The Government’s priorities have proven to be successful in improving outcomes for Maori. The measures show an increase in the average income of Maori in the workforce and a record low rate of Maori unemployment. More Maori are getting degrees more Maori are owning their own business more Maori children are in early childhood education and more Maori are taking charge of their own affairs and assets. That is positive progress.