Paraone Pita: Treaty of Waitangi (Removal of Conflict of Interest) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Paraone Pita: Treaty of Waitangi (Removal of Conflict of Interest) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:640;Page:10301] 
PITA PARAONE (NZ First) 
: 
 First of all I want to reassure this House that the intent of this bill is not to impugn the integrity of anyone particularly the person who is holding the two positions that this bill refers to. Secondly I am quite saddened by the fact that the last three members—all of Maori descent—have made as part of their argument use of the ethnic background of those people that the Maori Land Court serves. As the House will be aware when I introduced this bill I made no reference to people being of Maori descent. There was no intent to belittle or deride those people of Maori descent who were indeed clients of the Maori Land Court and the tribunal. I made reference to the word “Maori” only in describing the tribunal and the particular court that this bill is all about. I am really saddened to hear those members defend their arguments by using what we call the race card. 
However I ought to say that given that people obviously recognise that there is or could be an inherent conflict of interest this bill is looking at the use of retired judges. When I say “retired judges” I have before me information supplied to me by the Attorney-General that shows there is a total of 40—and I say 40—judges who have retired from the Supreme Court Court of Appeal High Court District Court Family Court Environment Court Employment Court and the Maori Land Court over the past 5 years. Quite clearly there is a supply of people who are well qualified to fill the positions that I talk about. 
The last speaker from National indicated that National members thought it would be more appropriate to address the issue of the timeliness of settlements. I suggest that if the present chairman of the tribunal was divested of his duties as Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court then he would be able to provide more time to addressing issues before the tribunal. I heard the concerns expressed by the first speaker from National and I bow to his legal background. I think the questions he raised certainly warrant further investigation. I support his contention and I believe that the select committee I have recommended this bill be referred to would be the place where this matter should be discussed. 
This bill does not aim or intend to do away with the Treaty of Waitangi as some members of the House who have already spoken are suggesting. This bill is intended to enhance the operation of both the tribunal and the Maori Land Court to ensure that the person who is in charge of these two respective jurisdictions is not confined or limited to the duties of the other position. 
 This bill is certainly aimed at removing any perception that people might have of any inherent conflict of interest. The last speaker from the Government the Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations made reference to the use of the word “perception” and I believe that in the wider community and even amongst Maori there is a perception of a possible conflict of interest. In the lead up to the passing of the Foreshore and Seabed Bill a senior member of Government made reference to a judge of the Maori Land Court and said that possibly that judge had had a conflict of interest when making her determination. 
I thank those who have supported this bill and I look forward to seeing it discussed by the appropriate select committee.