Davis rejects criticism of new agency

WELLINGTON: Crown Maori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis is adamant a new unit being set up to oversee the public services’ work with Maori does not duplicate what the existing ministry is doing.

The National Party yesterday described the mandate for the newly announced Office for MaoriCrown Relations as ‘‘vague and unnecessary’’.

Mr Davis said the agency was the next step in the Treaty relationship, moving beyond the settlement of Treaty grievances into ‘‘what it means to work together in partnerships’’.

Mr Davis said the move would bring a sharper focus and efficiency to the government’s work with Maori.

National’s CrownMaori Relations spokesman Chris Finlayson yesterday said the agency would overlap with Te Puni Kakiri, which already provided guidance to the Government about policies affecting Maori.

But Mr Davis told Morning Report Te Puni Kokiri’s work ‘‘was not organised or complete enough’’ and that Te Arawhiti’s role was focused on a wideranging response to Maori needs across the public sector.

‘‘The Ministry of Maori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, work to strengthen Maori capacity and capability, and Te Arawhiti will work with public service to strength the government’s capacity to deal and work alongside Maoridom,’’ he said.

He said the difference between the two agencies would be ‘‘significant’’, as the new framework and guidelines within the public sector it offered would allow government ‘‘to measure the health of relationship between the Crown and Maori’’.

A business case needed to be developed, but Mr Davis said he hoped Te Arawhiti could be operating before 2019. — RNZ