Green MPs Affirm Commitment to Treaty at Waitangi

Green Party Co-Leader, Dr Russel Norman, along with Green MPs –Sue Bradford, Kevin Hague and Catherine Delahunty will attend Waitangi Day commemorations in Waitangi over the next two days.

“The Green Party is here to affirm that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand. To build a truly healthy nation we need to give new life to the Treaty relationship. It's time to start a dialogue for the 21st century between M
ori and Pakeha, that's grounded in truly honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” said Green Party Co-Leader, Dr Russel Norman.

“We were deeply concerned with the direction that the previous Government took on the Treaty of Waitangi, particularly on such issues as the Foreshore and Seabed Act that stripped M
ori of their rights. We hope the National Party will do a better job of honoring the Treaty partnership.

“We are also concerned that the recent changes to the RMA may affect the ability of iwi with customary rights orders to challenge district plans in the Environment Court,” said Dr Norman.

It is expected that Dr Norman will give a speech today at the leader’s forum in Waitangi to outline the Green vision for working with M
ori to protect the environment and details on how the Green New Deal would benefit M
ori.