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Government reviews Maori land law

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Government reviews Maori land law

3News NZ

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Christopher Finlayson

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Christopher Finlayson

The Government is reviewing law relating to 1.42 million hectares of Maori land in bid to increase economic returns from it.

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Christopher Finlayson says a panel chaired by lawyer Matanuku Mahuika will review the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act, which covers 5 percent of New Zealand's land.

The panel, which will report in December, also includes Tokorangi Kapea, former Brierley Investments executive Patsy Reddy and Dion Tuuta.

A Ministry of Agriculture report found that some blocks of Maori land have no governance structures and identified issues of fragmentation, uneconomic block size, difficulty with identification of owners and succession.

Mr Finlayson says 80 percent of Maori land was under-performing for its owners, and in many cases this was because of structural issues which stemmed from the legislation.

"In particular compliance costs associated with Te Ture Whenua Maori Act and the processes of the Maori Land Court can also have flow on effects for governance.

"That is why I have commissioned a very able panel of experts to review the act and make practical recommendations for enhancing the legislation," he said.

The act was last reviewed in 2002, but most recommendations were not implemented.

The cultural significance of the land would be retained for future generations.

NZN

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Comments

4/12/2012 9:59:34 p.m.

moyra Te ariki Bramley wrote:

Where the hell has everyone got the idea we don't pay rates....if the land is unproductive and not generating any income then we are not forced to pay rates but if the land is productive and generating income then we have to pay the same rate of tax as any other business..so get your facts right before condemning maori

4/09/2012 10:01:54 p.m.

Moyra Te Arikl Bramley wrote:

Just remember all you people regarding racist remarks and maori having separate laws...all the laws we are governed by were orchestrated by the white government...they control even the Maori land Court now under their justice department..Finlayson is even making decisions for us now by ordering a review of Te Ture Whenua Act so that undeveloped Maori land can be more productive...all they have to do is make the banks lend us money to develop it..that is all that is needed....but , no that is not in their scope of thinking...so do not knock maori as being a privileged race...we are a noble and proud race but never privileged.....

10/06/2012 11:28:01 p.m.

JOE wrote:

A lot of Maori land is isolated and is not economically worth much, and does not receive a lot of services. Also it should be recognized that land is not owned for its economic value like the way most Pakeha own land, it is owned for its Cultural significance and is all Maori have left. Therefore rates should only be paid if it is exploited for its economic value. People need to understand that they don't understand.

9/06/2012 8:42:28 a.m.

atrout wrote:

@Alex... Now tell me when you last bought a Maori block??? A multiple ownership block with a complicated title? And what is your definition of Maori land as being reviewed by Findlay's committee?

4/06/2012 1:33:23 p.m.

Alex wrote:

uhhh...everyone realises that *ANYONE* can own maori land, right? that means, regardless of your race, you get both the benefits and disadvantages of owning maori land.

4/06/2012 11:52:37 a.m.

atrout wrote:

Making the land productive for whoever holds title is a very good thing. To look at it from a district basis, rates need to be paid in order to cover any infrastructure costs just as any other property would incur. A level playing field is necessary.

4/06/2012 7:40:52 a.m.

Mike wrote:

And taxes ... Some trusts are paying no tax as its not listed in the Treaty of Waitangi.

Its more of the bullshit one law for Maori and another law for non-Maori.

Its racist law which doesn't benefit Maori in general so we should get rid of the racist laws that treat people differently based on race (and benefit so few elitist Maori). South Africa cleaned up its racist laws, why can't we? Minto was protesting against racist laws in South Africa for decades, but wont get off his backside and protest against racist laws right here in NZ.

3/06/2012 10:40:30 p.m.

Dan wrote:

@ Craig: They don't have to pay rates because the land is not amenable to Council jurisdiction.

3/06/2012 7:23:23 p.m.

Craig wrote:

Paying rates on it like the rest of us would be a good start.

3/06/2012 4:19:54 p.m.

Moyra Te Ariki Bramley wrote:

the first thing they need to do is delete the discretionary powers of the Maori Land Court judges and make them Apply the law to every case that comes before it. Why do we have laws if they are not implemented. Slack governance by some trusts are costing beneficiaries millions of dollars in lost benefits...tighten up the laws and make trustees more accountable.