National and the Treaty

Both the NZ Herald and the Dom Post have articles today suggesting that National’s new MPs might lead to a change of policy on Maori and treaty issues.

They’re both right and wrong 🙂

I don’t expect that core National policies such as one law for all, and removing treaty principles from most legislation will change. Likewise neither do I expect any change to opposition to the introduction of Maori only wards for local bodies.

However I think one will see more of a focus on the positives NZ has from Maori culture, the Treaty, land and fisheries settlements etc.

As well as getting two new Maori MPs in Tau Henare and Paula Bennett, National also has new MPs Chris Finlayson and Chris Tremain who have significant experience or background in Maori and Treaty issues. Chris Finlayson used to be Ngai Tahu’s lawyer.