Co-governance ‘brings us closer together’

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says he opposes ‘‘co-governance’’ and denies his own party’s Whānau Ora policy is co-governance, despite it being about sharing power with iwi. Define co-governance and tell us what the Treaty of Waitangi principle of tino rangatiratanga means if it doesn’t mean power-sharing and partnership. An MP from each side of the House gives their views.

With co-governance in the headlines and a lot of opinion flying around, I wanted to set out our view for fulfilling our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and legislation.

As a Government we have continued to work closely with Māori and have walked a path underpinned by partnership and based on the articles of the Treaty and the promise of equity.

Co-governance is one way in which we can fulfil our obligations under the Treaty, and it is a tool that has been used by successive governments to enhance partnership and protect our environment.

The previous National Government under John Key, for example, created cogovernance arrangements in Te Urewera, over the Waikato River and the 14 Tūpuna Maunga within Auckland.

Our Government has supported this approach as it works to bring New Zealanders together and ensures we protect our natural environment.

Far from dividing us, co-governance arrangements seek to bring us closer together as we increase understanding of one another and reduce long-standing inequalities. But we know fulfilling our legislative obligations is not a one size fits all concept and we have worked hard to put in place policies that are fit for purpose and that work.

Māori Health is the perfect example. Māori are over-represented in negative health statistics and die younger than other ethnicities.

We need to turn this around.

That is the focus of the Māori Health Authority.

This is a Crown entity that has been established to support the reduction of health inequality for Māori and I am proud of that.

We are focused on equity because we want a New Zealand where everyone has opportunities to grow, learn and thrive.

But we know there is still more work to do to make sure that all New Zealanders can do this and that is our Government’s focus.

We are committed to supporting New Zealanders on the bread and butter issues, like with the cost of living and by continuing to grow a strong economy so that everyone can get ahead.