Political: Is this just Corporate welfare?
WARNING: This article might offend some readers. Tough! Some things beed to be said, just like they are in marae when speakers challenge guests.
I thought I'd print this article I found somewhere. While it just one person's opinion, what is interesting to note is Geoffrey Palmer's comments about '10 years......' and the reality now - here in 2022 some 39 years later. Make no mistake... regardless of what side you are on regarding the treaty settlements, you have to agree that it will never, ever, come to an end because certain negotiators, lawyers and tribal leaders are now totally dependent (financially) on this tribunal perpetuating forever. This is also the opinion of the New Zealand Centre of Political Research.
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Treaty settlements, as we know them, go back to 1984, to a hui in Ngaruawahia when a proposal to look into historical grievances appeared. The hui put the recommendation to government and the deputy prime minister of the time, Geoffrey Palmer, said he “did some research on the outstanding grievances and it did not appear that looking into them would open a can of worms, which many feared. I took the view that the claims may take a decade to deal with, that it would cause some anguish but would be worth it in the end.”
Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson also wrote, on Waitangi Day in 2014, “that some people say they want an end to historical settlements. Most people agree”.
Perhaps he is operating under the illusion that we can all get back to normal after all settlements have been completed. But the treaty settlements process has created a vast industry of negotiators, lawyers, law firms and tribal corporations all relying on this form of corporate welfare, and this has expanded into local government co-governance. Heavy treaty principles indoctrination goes on at schools, universities, teacher-training colleges, hospitals, in fact through all government departments. Sadly, the treaty grievance has turned into an unstoppable industry has become the new normal and already the evidence shows that treaty settlements have been an expensive mistake. There will never be an end to the tribunal nor the payouts yet to come in increasing measure.
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How wrong Geoffrey Palmer was... how very wrong.... However, when I call it 'corporate welfare'; how many Maori could honestly say they have directly benefited from any treaty settlement? Anyone? Anyone at all? There are a few, depending which tribe is involved as some have been very clever in their investments and distribution of profits, (like Ngai Tahu for an area that is not even their traditional land, which was near Gisborne) but that is likely a very small percentage.
Meanwhile the 'corporate' gravy train of those able to spend millions and lose it without being accountable to the ordinary people in the tribe are endless. It seems political Maori are as politically incompetent as any other race is.
If you are part-Maori and are angry at our insinuation, fantastic - maybe now you'll start to question where the money actually goes, if you haven't seen any benefit from it yet. But if you have, then your tribal leadership has been wise and should be highly commended for the purpose of treaty settlements are for the benefit of the Maori people, not just the leadership.
