"Maori Caucus @ UNPFII 2009" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Pacific Caucus at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues called on the Forum to support Maori aspirations over the proposed
Auckland super-city.
On behalf of the caucus Catherine Davis of Te Rarawa said
" The Pacific Caucus asks the Permanent Forum to invite the New Zealand
Government to implement the recommendation of the Crown-appointed Royal
Commission, that Maori receive three of the 23 local body seats on the
Auckland 'Super-City' Council, this being consistent with Government's
Treaty of Waitangi obligations to protect Maori rights and interests, and
Articles 5, 18 and 19 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples"
The Pacific caucus is made of Indigenous delegations from as far as Hawaii,
Aboriginal Australia and the wider pacific.
In addition to the super city issue Professor Margaret Mutu from Ngati Kahu
said "As Treaty 'partners' in good faith negotiations, [Te Rarawa and Ngati
Kahu] were finding it difficult to reconcile Government statements of
fairness and justice with its continued opposition to the Declaration; and
the denial of Maori Treaty rights, including rights to self determination,
to ancestral lands, waters, their foreshore and seabed and other natural
resources, and their right to compensation and reparation for the
overwhelming spiritual, social and economic deprivation they continue to
suffer."
for the full statement see:
http://www.indigenousportal.com/Pacific/Pacific-Caucus-Statement.html
For more information, contact Catherine Davis 642500693 Professor Margaret
Mutu 64212419650 in New York
