Act’s revenge on the Waitangi Tribunal

Written By: - Date published: 10:28 am, October 26th, 2024 - 16 comments
Categories: act, national, racism, same old national, treaty settlements - Tags:

The Waitangi Tribunal plays an important role in our constitution. It is comparable to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Forum, established to allow the country to confront the ugliness of its past and then move on.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s various reports detail the history of our country, the hopes created when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and the egregious breaches of the treaty that then occurred. It allows for acknowledgement and compensation, although at a pittance of the loss sustained, and for future action to protect and enhance Māori interests as was promised by the Treaty.

It occupies a very important position in our system.

Which is why the appointment of Richard Prebble to the Tribunal has so many of us shaking our heads.

When considering an appointment to the Tribunal the Minister of Māori Affairs has to, In considering the suitability of persons for appointment to the Tribunal, have regard not only to a person’s personal attributes but also to a person’s knowledge of and experience in the different aspects of matters likely to come before the Tribunal. But most importantly the Minister “shall have regard to the partnership between the 2 parties to the Treaty”.

I would interpret this as saying that rednecks are not suitable and a minimum qualification ought to be a conventional understanding of what the Treaty means.

And it is not clear that Prebble understands the treaty.

In this article he claimed that the Treaty is in no danger from Act’s proposed Treaty Principles Bill. He also asserts that Seymour was correct in claiming that “the Treaty is being misused to challenge the sovereignty of Parliament, to promote co-government and to create two classes of citizenship”.

The appointment is provocative and clearly planned to be disruptive.

Labour’s Willie Jackson was scathing about the decision. From Radio New Zealand:

Jackson described it as “unbelievable” and “a kick in the guts” for Māori.

“I think we were all in shock [on Thursday] … but what next – are we going to make Don Brash the new chair of the tribunal?,” Jackson said.

“It’s just incredible what this government will do.”

While Prebble had skills and experience as a lawyer working in the Māori sector, the most important factor was his alignment with the ACT Party and its policies, in particular the Treaty Principles Bill, Jackson said.

And who Prebble is replacing is interesting. One of the Tribunal members whose role was discontinued is veteran broadcaster Derek Fox. The other is Dr Hana O’Regan. The Waitangi Tribunal’s website contains this description about her:

Dr Hana O’Regan has worked in the areas of language revitalisation, identity and cultural development, te reo Māori, and education for over 25 years. She is a published author and composer and is recognised internationally for her work in indigenous language acquisition and revitalisation. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga (the Institute of Excellence in Te Reo Māori), Hana is widely respected for her Māori language contribution, skills, and advocacy.

Hana has held two director positions on the senior executive at ARA Institute of Canterbury, has been the general manager oranga for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and has held many positions on national boards, review panels, and committees across the areas of education, Māori development, national identity, Treaty rights and policies, and health. Since late 2020, she has been Tumu Whakarae of Tātai Aho Rau – CORE Education, a for purpose organisation with a focus on equity through learning. Hana’s passion for education, community, history, and equity has resulted in a career committed to working with organisations, businesses, and individuals to support and enhance positive outcomes for learners and whānau. Dr O’Regan was appointed to the Tribunal in 2021.

She has only served one term and normally a member could be expected to be reappointed. This Government’s failure to do so is startling.

The other new appointment is Ken Williamson who is described as “a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand. He has extensive experience as a practitioner and governor in risk prevention, risk management and disaster management.”

It is difficult to understand how risk prevention should be considered as a helpful qualification for a Tribunal member, unless the desire is to measure the risk posed to the Tribunal by this Government.

The announcement has a real United States Republican stacking of the Supreme Court feel about it which is a real shame. Traditionally successive Governments have been respectful of the independence of the Judiciary and of Judicial bodies.

And I am sure Māori are seething. This is yet another attack on Māori interests and a further attempt to undermine the Treaty.

But clearly nothing is safe as far as this Government is concerned. It is happy to stoke dissent and engage in attacks on Māori for kicks and redneck support.

Shame on them.

16 comments on “Act’s revenge on the Waitangi Tribunal ”

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  1. bwaghorn 1
    26 October 2024 at 12:23 pm

    We have cigarette sales people in health, gun nuts in fire arms why not a redneck moron in the most delicate part of our political landscape?

  2. thinker 2
    26 October 2024 at 1:06 pm

    The Waitangi Tribunal plays an important role in our constitution.

    Well, Prebble's appointment hasn't been good for my constitution…

  3. Drowsy M. Kram 3
    26 October 2024 at 1:27 pm

    "Substance in satire" laugh

    The Secret Diary of .. political appointments [Braunias, 26 Oct 2024]
    Inside the rigorous interview process of jobs for the boys

    Former National minister Murray McCully

    Former pharmaceutical company executive turned Act MP Todd Stephenson

    Former National minister Steven Joyce

    Former National leader Sir Bill English

    Former Act leader Richard Prebble

    Muldoon on Prebs:

    Even if some thought he was mad the way he carried on, we never knew what he was going to come up with next.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Prebble#Member_of_Parliament

  4. Kat 4
    26 October 2024 at 1:46 pm

    Once a frothing at the mouth mad dog…..now the proverbial rat in the chook house……I would say he may come off second best, will end up with egg on his face while being pecked into submission…….

  5. Koina 5
    26 October 2024 at 2:05 pm

    It makes s no difference if Mad Dog is appointed to the Tribunal

    The Waitangi Tribunal was introduced by Matiu Rata Labour MP in October 1975.
    https://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/en/about/about-the-waitangi-tribunal.

    The Tribunal was set up to investigate the White invasion, the White

    conquest of the Maori race, the White theft of 90% of the lands and the 100 year

    White goal of turning all Maori into White ar#e lickers.

    Seymour’s bill is just the latest in a 50 year campaign by the White Right

    wing to deny any White wrong doing.

    The Invasion is the issue.

    The Cheatie is a distraction.

  6. Rob McHardy 6
    26 October 2024 at 2:10 pm

    So lucky to have Ken Williamsons input, great person knowledgeable, sensible, successful he will add heaps of value to the group

  7. SPC 7
    26 October 2024 at 3:27 pm

    First the Human Rights Commission, now the Waitangi Tribunal, organisations that ACT wants removed, trashed by National's appointments process.

    Meanwhile ACT’s bill is before parliament.

    7 February.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/the-problems-with-seymours-treaty-principles-bill-richard-prebble/B7243V7MBJAG5LNN6MZEMCQTMI/

    https://archive.li/wj2IP#selection-2671.0-2854.0

    Reminds one of Trump

    Labour Sec anti worker.

    Boss of EPA anti-environment protection.

  8. Darien Fenton 8
    26 October 2024 at 4:37 pm

    I thought it was a bad dream. Those of us in Labour remember all too well Prebble in Auckland Central and my first intro to Labour politics with the Roger (how's the pigs?) conference way back. Next thing it will be Roger Douglas and that other awful old bloke Don Brash they will ring out of the crypt. Mind you, the list is long of the cronies being appointed by this govt. Labour tried to be more balanced. I wish they hadn't been.

    • lprent 8.1
      26 October 2024 at 5:36 pm

      I was living in Auckland Central electorate in 1990, walked down to listen to Prebble speak. That was when I decided to vote for a minor party. Also part of the reason why, when I started to volunteer for Labour, I did it in the Mt Albert electorate whilst still living in Auckland Central.

      I prefer rational politicians who know how to listen to voters who disagree with them. Not ones who routinely disparaged them.

    • Mountain Tui 8.2
      26 October 2024 at 6:03 pm

      Darien – the same people are still pulling the strings.

      https://substack.com/@mountaintui/note/c-72664139

      Labour's approach was conciliatory and balanced. I don't think they realised who they were dealing with.

      What we see is the playbook of Atlas Network.

  9. Pete 9
    26 October 2024 at 6:34 pm

    "Since leaving Parliament, Prebble had provided pro-bono advice to Māori trusts, hapū and iwi on a variety of issues".

    So he is good enough for Maori to take free advice from however activist Maori do not want him on the tribunal?

    • Patricia Bremner 9.1
      27 October 2024 at 6:39 pm

      Read what he said and believes. So "Maori are ungrateful" by implication of what you wrote!! Maori know a turncoat when they see one.

      Said he supported workers to get into Parliament, then made a pal of Ruth richardson and Atlas.

    • Rodel 9.2
      29 October 2024 at 10:58 am

      Last thing I'd ever want from Richard Precbble is pro – bono advice.To paraphrase the great Rolf Harris – 'Trust Richard Prebble? Sure can!' (sarc)