Te Pāti Māori makes power to suspend Crown decisions a coalition bottom line

Summarised by Centrist

Te Pāti Māori says its entire Te Tiriti entrenchment package would be non-negotiable in post-election coalition talks.

At its centre is an independent Te Tiriti Commission able to investigate ministers, departments and Crown agencies, require remedies and issue compliance orders stopping or suspending serious executive decisions. 

A government wanting to proceed would have to challenge an order in the High Court. The commission could examine proposed laws and report inconsistencies to Parliament, although it could not invalidate legislation already passed.

The party would separately make Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding on the Crown, with implementation deadlines and judicial enforcement. It also proposes a $220m Mātike Mai Fund over four years for Māori-led constitutional work leading towards an overhaul by 2040.

Co-leader Rawiri Waititi said: “Parliament does not give Te Tiriti its mana.” Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said minor-party wins in the current coalition showed substantial change could be secured through negotiations.

The practical effect would be to shift the initial burden from Māori claimants challenging Crown decisions to the Government defending those decisions in court. The package would first require parliamentary support and enabling legislation.

Chris Hipkins has rejected the core enforcement power, answering “No” when asked whether he could accept a commission overruling Cabinet decisions. He also rejected the proposed $220m fund. That puts Te Pāti Māori’s declared bottom line in direct conflict with the major party it would most plausibly support.

Read more at Stuff | Te Ao Māori News

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