05 July 2010
Maori Party Bill re Parliamentary Commissioner for the Treaty of Waitangi
Kia ora Dave, thank you for your kind remarks. We certainly appreciate the support of you and your members.
We are currently working on this issue in two ways:
- We are working with Minister Simon Power on the terms of reference and other details for the constitutional review. We all see the review as taking years rather than months so we can get an informed conversation amongst all our citizens; and
- We have drafted a private members bill to establish a Parliamentary Commissioner for the Treaty, on the same lines as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. I have attached a copy of that Bill, which is one of Hone's. As yet it has not been drawn from the ballot, but he will keep submitting it until it is. This Bill establishes the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Treaty of Waitangi, to advocate and promote respect for the Treaty of Waitangi as the nation's founding document and constitutional blueprint.
I hope this answers your question.
Naku noa, na
Rahui Katene
