The Takutai Moana Bill is an issue
dividing the Maori Party at this time,
but the Iwi Leaders Forum totally supports the bill.
To share his thoughts on the matter,
the Chair of Te Arataura o Tainui Waka Tukoroirangi Morgan
joins us live from Hamilton.
There has been criticism aimed at the Iwi Leaders Forum
becoming a one-stop shop for the Maori Party and the government
as the decision makers on behalf of Maori?
The role of the Iwi Leaders Forum is to lobby our issues with government,
but the rest is left up to the tribes and hapu throughout NZ.
The bill may seem a little complex to most,
but there are positive aspects in the bill
that will benefit us if the bill goes through.
I'm saying the bill is yet to be passed,
so we have time to lobby the Prime Minister, MPs
and the select committee to make additions and such to the bill
so that it becomes our law.
I'm saying there are good things in it
and some issues in it
that we must convince the government to look at.
What are the pros and cons you spoke about?
One of the good things is that we are able
to test our rights before the Minister.
If we are unsuccessful there, then we can test them in court.
The Labour Party rejected that idea when it was presented to them.
That's one.
This is a start for all of us.
One of the difficulties when testing rights with the Minister,
which is a good thing - being able to test rights with the Minister,
one of the difficulties is how these rights will be tested by the Crown.
It is up to the Crown to determine
which tribe and hapu have the right to test rights with the Crown.
That's one of the difficulties.
In our discussions with the Prime Minister,
I said to him 'Open the door for all tribes to be able
'to talk directly with the Minister.
'If they fail then they can go on to the court process.'
Tukoroirangi Morgan, thank you very much for your time today.