Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
04 April 2006
Media Release
Special Rapporteur Report Disappointing – Peters
The contents of the UN Special Rapporteur's Report on Indigenous Issues in New Zealand show that he had spent very
little time in New Zealand, had a preconceived agenda and was particularly selective about who he spoke to and more
importantly who he actually listened to, says Foreign Affairs Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters.
"Dr Stavenhagan has chosen not to correct many of the factual errors pointed out to him by the government, particularly
in relation to the Seabed and Foreshore Act," Mr Peters said.
"It is also sad that the unique and complex social reality in New Zealand, including the high proportion of
intermarriage between Maori and other ethnicities, was ignored as a result of a rigid ideological approach far removed
from the reality of most New Zealanders.
"The Special Rapporteur has chosen not to provide meaningful historical context to his report – which would have
highlighted that New Zealand has been confronting and resolving, in a non-violent and constructive way, many of the
issues he has raised.
"For example, his proposal that the Treaty of Waitangi should become part of New Zealand's constitutional framework was
considered by Maori leaders such as Sir Apirana Ngata, who rejected this proposition over 60 years ago.
"Solutions to the issues we confront will not come out of fleeting overseas 'experts' visits with entrenched ideological
views. Unfortunately, when you choose to only listen to the disgruntled, negativity is what you will get. Fortunately,
there are those who actually live here in New Zealand who believe in constructive long term engagement to provide
lasting solutions. On this the future of our race relations depends," concluded Mr Peters.
ENDS