Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
The minister for Māori development says the government will not predetermine the outcome of a new review of the Waitangi Tribunal.
The review is set to refocus the "scope, purpose and nature" of the tribunal's inquiries back to its "original intent", Tama Potaka said on Friday.
It is part of the coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National, and will be led by an independent technical advisory group and supported by Te Puni Kōkiri.
Potaka - the chairperson of the ministerial group coordinating the review - told Saturday Morning the government would wait for feedback before making any decisions.
"Our intention of course is to of course make sure it operates effectively within a system that's coherent and sustainable, and we will take a look at structural matters such as the jurisdiction, how claims are categorised and what practises it adopts."
The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. Originally it could only hear claims about current government actions, but in 1985 Parliament allowed the tribunal to investigate events dating back to 1840.
Potaka did not say whether the tribunal would return to only investigating current breaches. He did say the "government will determine the future of the tribunal", but it was not a predetermined outcome.
"I am certainly not predetermined, and this government is not predetermined over this outcome - we will await the feedback, recommendations from the technical advisor group."
Potaka said he was looking forward to seeing their engagement, and ensuring it was suitable for making the recommendations needed to Cabinet.
"Certainly in my view there's a lot of mahi that the tribunal still needs to close out."
Potaka said many of the historical claims had been carried out, with only five historical regional claims remaining.
Labour MP Willie Jackson. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Labour MP Willie Jackson - who was Māori development minister for three years - told Saturday Morning the review was "like a comedy".
"The most anti-Māori government I've seen in my lifetime is now conducting a review of the watchdog that at least keeps a lot of Māori, a lot of New Zealanders safe."
He said ACT leader David Seymour and NZ First MP Shane Jones' comments about the tribunal were "just disgraceful".
Jackson said the tribunal did not need a review - it needed support.
"A review is needed of David Seymour and Shane Jones, and they should be reprimanded by the prime minister for undermining a tribunal."
He said although he was comfortable with the inquiry panel's members, he questioned the level of independence it would have.
Engagement with Māori was scheduled to begin mid-2025, and proposals would be made before the end of the year.
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