A North Island iwi is seeking the return of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds following New Zealand's affirmation of the UniN Declaration of Indigenous Rights.Ngapuhi academic David Rankin has written to the UN Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee and as
A North Island iwi is seeking the return of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds following New Zealand's affirmation of the UniN Declaration of Indigenous Rights.
Ngapuhi academic David Rankin has written to the UN Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee and asked for a process to be set in place for the treaty grounds to be returned to his hapu –Te Matarahurahu.
The request was under Article 32 of the declaration which requires states to obtain free and intelligent consent before doing anything that affects the land of indigenous people.
Mr Rankin said it would be a test for the UN and the New Zealand government.
"If the land is not returned, the New Zealand government will be exposed in front of the international community as failing to keep its obligations."
However, Prime Minister John Key has been clear to state affirmation of the declaration would not change the legal framework in New Zealand as it was a non-binding, aspirational agreement.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples this week flew to New York without publicly revealing he was to make a speech announcing New Zealand would endorse the declaration.
The previous Labour government had refused to sign, saying it was incompatible with New Zealand's constitution, legal framework and the Treaty of Waitangi.
