The Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Maori committee is considering the value to the region's economy treaty settlements are about to bring.
Committee chairman Tai Eru says benefits to be gained from treaty settlements are significant in the Bay of Plenty.
'We have had several major comprehensive settlements, with a further 13 iwi settlements in the pipeline.
'This will see the asset base steadily increase within the next five to 10 years as other iwi in the region settle their treaty claims.
'These figures demonstrate the significance of Maori in the economic development of Waiariki (Bay of Plenty) and the role Maori can play in influencing economic change and direction in this area.”
These comments were made following last week's Maori committee meeting where it was discussed how the 2010 Maori economy totalled at least $36.9 billion.
This equates to four percent of New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP).
The Maori asset base in the Bay of Plenty is estimated at about $7 billion, 18 percent of the total national Maori asset base.
It includes Maori Land Trusts and Incorporations, Maori business, Crown Forest lease settlements, Te Ohu Kaimoana and other settlement entities.
5 comments
Rubbish
Posted on 10-07-2011 12:17 | By Jitter
What a load of rubbish ! How many other areas of NZ have benefited from Waitangi Claim settlements ? Very few. Look at the claims settled up North. Harawira is demanding that the government pour more money into creating employment for Maori in the far north. Where has the tens of millions of dollars from northern settlemrnts to date gone ? Some of this should have been used to create employment opportunities. The far north fisheries allocation has been given to foreign owned fishing boats with crews paid a pittance and fish caught is sent to China for processing. Jobs up north could have been created on NZ owned fishing boats, or boats purchased to be crewed by the Northland people, and a processing plant established to create more jobs.
Asset Benefit
Posted on 10-07-2011 15:54 | By Rayna
$7 billion with 13 more settlements in the pipe line would surely ensure sufficient funds to cover te reo , health and education for Maori who also benefit under the public system' Standard and Poors NZ rating should motivate the govt to withold further payouts until the econovy is sorted. Rayna
How will Taurangas impoverished Maori profit?
Posted on 10-07-2011 22:51 | By wreck1080
I agree with compensation where due. The europeans wrongly stole some maori land. I hope some of this money goes help the young maori kid (and his supportive friends) who smashed my 2 year olds scooter helmet and then threatened to assault my partner when she expressed her disgust. It's scary to see some of the youth in this town.
yeah rite
Posted on 11-07-2011 11:16 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Its time all this nonsense stopped. No wonder NZ is struggling-billions of dollars paid out and yet the hand is still out and will continue to...
Negative comments
Posted on 11-07-2011 15:01 | By Pirirakau
I wonder how many non-Maori have this opinion that Maori are not entitled to compensation for losses of land through forced acquisition. How would you feel if your ancestors had their land taken from them which shifted how your generation would be positioned financially. The treay of waitangi was breached by the Crown and so this is the consequence. As Maori we live in some impoverished states where we may not have to, if our lands were retained by the rightful owners. Anyone with opposition to treaty settlements supports theft. These treaty settlements are but a tiny fraction of what the amount would be if they were paid in full for their losses. Do your homework before you judge!
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