-
Pita Sharples and John Key at Waitangi - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
View Photos
Prime Minister John Key has promised his government will do all it can to settle outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014.
"We are impatient to stop looking in the rear-view mirror at grievances past, and to instead shift our eyes to the challenges of our shared future as New Zealanders," he said in his Waitangi Day speech at Waitangi.
"I think it would be a betrayal of Kiwis' basic sense of decency to forget the past and the legitimate claims of iwi. But at the same time I am determined that New Zealand will not become stuck in that past."
Key said the National Party campaigned on the 2014 goal, and he knew it would be a "considerable challenge".
He said there were 60 claims outstanding when National took office in 2008.
"If we were content to continue at the settlement pace of the previous Labour-led government, then we would only expect to resolve those claims at a rate of 1.6 a year. In other words, we would still be signing settlements in 2048.
"I won't accept that. We must do better. The Government has the will and my sense is that iwi have the will as well."
However, Labour leader Phil Goff says it's time to focus on the present, not just the past.
"I would have liked to see something about 2010 being the year when the govt gets off the sidelines and onto the field and do something about the grievances that affect all New Zealanders. About growing unemployment about people whose wages are frozen while their costs go up," said Goff.
One thing everyone agrees on is the need to work together.
Key, who used most of his speech to emphasise the importance of settlement claims, explained the measures the Government was taking to speed up the process.
"Our foot is firmly on the settlement pedal," he said.
Key said he had instructed Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson to "get out there" and meet iwi, and work closely with them to conclude settlements.
"He has been doing exactly that...but make no mistake, the 2014 target the Government has set for itself is ambitious," he said.
"Reaching our target will require much work and goodwill from the Government, from the New Zealanders we represent, and from the iwi with whom we are negotiating."
He said he was determined that every settlement would be full and final.
"I do not want to condemn our children and grandchildren to endlessly re-litigating these negotiations, due to sloppy work and inadequate attention to detail."
Key said the debate around the Treaty of Waitangi had too often been characterised by extremism, and by people who had sought to weaken ties that united Maori and other New Zealanders.
"This Waitangi Day, as we reflect on our history as a nation, I could take the opportunity to outline the many times in New Zealand where we have strayed from the path of justice, or acted in ways which call our basic sense of fairness into question," he said.
"No one in this room would deny the existence of such dark moments in our history.
"But today is not the day to dwell on our failures. Let today be a day when we reflect on the prouder moments of our history, and on the growing unity that, for many decades, has underpinned the relationship between Maori and other New Zealanders."
Key said there were cynics on both sides who damaged the
goodwill needed to put an end to grievance and division, but he
believed they represented a small minority of New Zealanders.
Do you have any images from Waitangi Day commemorations?
Send them to tvnz.co.nz at
interactivenews@tvnz.co.nz
How do you spend your Waitangi Day? What does our
National Day mean to you? Share in the conversation on our Message
Board below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentahastings said on 2010-02-08 @ 09:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
What a discusting act by that republican man, and that is why he is a republican because he has no morals or standards by burning the flag and dressing up like an idiot. this man should be arrested and held accountable for burning a flag that means alot to me and all New Zealanders especially those who have fought under our flag
pridepassionpower said on 2010-02-08 @ 00:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
I care about the NZ flag being burnt, it really hurts me to see that, how about I burn yours in your face? I just wonder that if I carry on like an idiot and burn flags and become lazy that maybe I might get attention from the govt as well? Just a thought. BRING ON NZ DAY! ONE NATION!
ilightenall said on 2010-02-07 @ 06:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
I'm still buzzing from the Waitangi day celebration held here in Perth. Thousands attended for a day of unity and sharing in our unique Kiwi culture. Kiwi Hot Dogs, whitebait fritters, hangi, L&p with homegrown music and craft stalls, Maori and Pakeha simply celebrating being Kiwi.
santa0007 said on 2010-02-07 @ 04:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Littlewood Treaty original version gives me my right to claim "my" land back & restore what has been taken from me without my prior say-so. Who do I gotta fight first & can i bring my Mum.
santa0007 said on 2010-02-07 @ 03:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
Foreshore & seabed issue, ultimately the country is governed by a govt,part of that is protection from invasion by anything, given the ownership goes to a non-govt entity,where are the rights if any of our constitution. As it stands now,if you have a problem with your employer & your Moari & want to take them to court,it can be done through treaty claims,according to legal services agency.Does this really mean seperatism or the justifiable return of life by an inheritad old fashioned system.