Gerry Brownlee MP
National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman
28 April 2006
Back-down on Treaty Committee a small first step
National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee says the back-down by the Manukau City Council on candidate and
voter eligibility to its Treaty of Waitangi Committee is a small first step.
“National’s pleased that the council has now decided to extend nomination and candidacy rights to Maori on both the
general and the Maori electoral rolls.
“But when will local authorities and central Government realise that the Treaty of Waitangi applies to both Maori and
non-Maori?
“Non-Maori have just as much right to sit on the committee as Maori. All New Zealanders should have the opportunity to
express a view on the Treaty,” says Mr Brownlee.
Earlier this month, National Leader Don Brash raised the alarm on Human Rights Complaints lodged by two Maori in the
Manukau area on the general roll, who complained that they were not allowed to take part in the Treaty committee
process.
“The Manukau City Council back-down is a good start, but it’s only a start,” says Mr Brownlee.
ENDS