Treaty Settlement Legislation Before the House of Representatives in 2012

Abstract

As noted in the September issue of the Māori Law Review, 2012 has seen legislation to give effect to settlements of historical claims under the Treaty of Waitangi enacted at a faster pace than previously, due in part to two important changes to legislative practice: extended sitting hours and the use of cognate bills. A record number of ten Treaty settlement statutes were enacted in 2012.

Two pieces of settlement legislation (the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill, and the Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill) progressed through all legislative stages (from introduction to royal assent) in 2012.

Although not strictly settlement legislation, 2012 also saw the Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Act passed, and the Mokomoko (Restoration of Character, Mana, and Reputation) Bill introduced.

Keywords: Treaty Settlement, Legislation, Cultural Redress, Deed of Settlement, Commercial Redress, Historical Redress.

JEL Classification: K39, K10, K40.