Nick Smith National Conservation and Environment Spokesperson
22 May 2001
Govt Buckles to Waitangi Tribunal Threat
Smith Lodges Contempt of Parliament Complaint
Opposition Conservation spokesperson, Nick Smith, is outraged that the Government has broken its commitment to pass
legislation today to resolve the problem of retrospective application of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act to the
Whitianga Waterways Development.
"The acting Prime Minister told the people of Whitianga that this matter would be resolved today. The Government has
reneged on that commitment and it has subsequently been revealed that Ngati Maru has lodged a Waitangi Tribunal claim
seeking to halt Parliament's attempts to resolve this problem.
"This is a contempt of Parliament and democratic Government. The Waitangi Tribunal has no business attempting to usurp
the right of Parliament to pass laws. It is a constitutional outrage that Russell McVeagh would even attempt such an
action and as a consequence I will be lodging a complaint with the Privileges Committee 'of contempt of Parliament'.
"This latest chapter in the Whitianga Waterways fisaco shows the Government is dancing to the tune of iwi and ignoring
the wishes of the people of Whitianga," Dr Smith said.
Ends