Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Quinn Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:668;Page:15303] 
11. 
PAUL QUINN (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 
: What recent progress has the Government made towards its goal of settling historical Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 The Government recently signed deeds of settlement with two Kurahaupo iwi at the top of the South Island Ngati Kuia and Ngati Apa and will be signing a deed of settlement with Rangitane o Wairau on 4 December. 
Hon Shane Jones 
: What about Taipa? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: Taipa is not at the top of the South Island. Since the start of last year the Crown has reached over 60 significant settlement milestones including 21 agreements in principle and 10 deeds of settlement. That represents great progress especially compared with the previous administration’s average of 1.6 deeds of settlement a year.  
Paul Quinn 
: What other progress has the Government recently made towards its goal of settling all historical Treaty claims? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I apologise to the member but I say to members on both sides of the House that the background noise today is unacceptable. A member was yelling endlessly across the House while the member was asking his question. I fully accept that tensions are quite high today. I have tried to let the House live a little more because of it because I think there are times when one cannot keep the reins too tight. But I just ask for a little bit more reasonableness please. I ask Paul Quinn to repeat his question. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. We accept your ruling. If you are to extend that protection to the particular member who is asking the question then he might return the courtesy when other members on this side of the House are asking questions. This member in particular yells a diatribe whenever our people are asking questions. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Members should not abuse another member when raising a point of order—for example referring to something as a diatribe. Members should not do that. I admit that the member has interjected a little too often during question time today and he needs to be mindful of that although I have not heard him yelling constantly which is what was going on here. [ 
Interruption 
] Order! His voice is very loud and very distinctive and one certainly hears it but what we have just been experiencing is someone yelling continuously. I have not blamed one side of the House more than the other; I am just asking all members to be a little more reasonable. I am not blaming one side of the House any more than the other; both sides have been particularly noisy today in respect of background noise. I take on board the member’s point and I ask Paul Quinn to be mindful of that when he is interjecting. 
Paul Quinn 
: What other progress has the Government recently made towards its goal of settling all historical Treaty claims? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: The Government recently initialled a deed of settlement with Ngati Porou. Ngati Porou is now engaged in a ratification process and I— 
Hon Shane Jones 
: Labour policy! 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: What is Labour policy? It certainly is not to settle Treaty of Waitangi grievances. I encourage all those who are eligible to participate. I acknowledge the leadership of Ngati Porou in reaching this milestone and the support of the Maori Party throughout the negotiations. I also acknowledge the very eloquent speech by the Hon Parekura Horomia at the ceremony when the deed was initialled. 
Rahui Katene 
: What impact has the legal action being taken against the Crown by Wakatu Incorporation had on settling the claims of Te Tau Ihu iwi and what can those iwi do to progress their negotiations? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: It certainly delays the signing of the deeds of settlement because in accordance with the terms of negotiation the Crown has had to suspend negotiations with Tainui Taranaki pending resolution of the Wakatu proceeding. They too were parties to the terms of negotiation but in the interim I hope that the iwi of Tainui Taranaki will be able to work together to resolve the intra-iwi issues that remain outstanding. My understanding is that good progress is being made in that regard. 
Hilary Calvert 
: In the light of it taking 40 years to settle Treaty claims does he expect it to take more or less time for customary marine title claims to be settled? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: It has not taken 40 years to resolve Treaty of Waitangi claims. This process really got under way in the early 1990s and good progress is being made. In answer to the question about customary marine title matters I say that I believe good progress can be made to resolve those matters once legislation is passed—legislation that properly explained to the electorate will secure their agreement. I think we should adopt that approach rather than scaremongering and unpleasantness.