Roa backs tribunal changes

Tom Roa has cast a vote of confidence in the refreshed compilation of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Prof Tom Roa

He did not have his warrant renewed this month when Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced a new line up of members.

Eight new appointments were made and five of the existing 20 members – Dr Ruakere Hond, Derek Fox, Kim Ngarimu, Dr Hana O’Regan and Professor Sir Pou Temara – were retained.

Appointments are for a three-year term and the new members include Vanessa Eparaima, chair of Te Wananga o Aotearoa council and Professor Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren, Dean of Te Piringa Faculty of Law at Waikato University.

Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson. Photo: Supplied

Tania Simpson of Tamahere was among those not reappointed. She has served on the tribunal since 2008.  Ken Williamson, a Waikato business leader who has ties to Waipā through St John, was appointed in October last year.

Ken Williamson

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer called the appointments a whitewash and said some of Te Ao Māori’s greatest thinkers had been replaced “with pale, stale males”.

Roa, Professor in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato regularly shares his view with readers of The News – his latest column appears in this edition.

He said recent publicity, especially in social media, regarding some of the new appointments “and the non-renewal of my and other long-serving members’ warrants has to be a concern with the strength of its negativity”.

He said the new appointments brought a diversity of rich experience to the tribunal “which should be welcomed”.

“They will quickly familiarise themselves with the role of the tribunal under the Act and their role as members.  The judges, staff, and sitting members will make good use of their knowledge, skills, and experience in guiding those new members in their role.”

Roa said he had been honoured to serve on the tribunal for 10 years and was personally and professionally proud of his contribution.

The Waitangi Tribunal is a permanent commission of inquiry set up by the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975.  Its role is inquisitorial, and it seeks to establish the “truth or otherwise” of an allegation that the Crown has breached the Treaty.

It also has a role in examining and reporting on proposed legislation and makes recommendations about certain Crown forest land, railways land, state-owned enterprise land, and land transferred to educational institutions.

Roa said the tribunal fulfilled an essential, principled, role in advancing race relations and held elected representatives to account in ensuring that “not only do they govern according to our will but they do so in the context of the Treaty of Waitangi, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld”.

Claimants, their legal counsel, and Crown counsel in their interactions with tribunal panels also had a responsibility to assist the tribunal in its deliberations.

“Reasoned and thoughtful debate will continue,” Roa said.

“We should remind ourselves that our parliamentary system is based on the Westminster system in which we have a Government, and an Opposition.  The primary function of the Opposition is to oppose, that is to hold the Government to account.  In any debate exaggeration and hyperbole can be very effective tools to advance a position.

“We should guard against debates which promote personal attacks, are essentially negative, and do not offer thoughtful and rational alternatives.”

See: The democratic system

 

 

More Recent News

World conflicts boost Anzac crowds

Record numbers attending Anzac Day events around the region, and the messages delivered at those services, suggest a heightened public awareness of escalating global tensions. The messages were widespread and came from regional mayors, Members…

Sister city relationship sealed

Cambridge was well represented in France for Anzac Day commemorations over the weekend and the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Le Quesnoy. The 28 students from Cambridge High School and their four…

Sharpe service

Diane Sharpe’s enthusiasm for Fieldays has not been blunted even after 35 years. While Fieldays is calling for volunteer, organisers need not send an invitation to Diane – she will be there, yet again. “It’s…

Anzac Day – from sunrise to sunset

On a day of highlights perhaps the most significant came when Cambridge RSA president Tony Hill read out a letter from King Charles III to Les Winslade. Les at 104 was not only the oldest…