Submission to the Marine and Coastal Area Select Committee

Oral Statement of Evidence of Michael James Sleigh

Kiwis for the Treaty Inc

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

My name is Mike Sleigh, I am giving this evidence as Chairman of Kiwis for the Treaty Inc.

1. Wide Support Kiwis for the Treaty

This organisation was recently established to give middle New Zealander’s / Tangata Tiriti a comfortable place to:

· learn about te Tiriti / the Treaty

· voice their support for te Tiriti

· oppose the Treaty Principles Bill

· oppose any other legislation which breaches Te Tiriti

The organisation started in Christchurch three months ago and has seen a rapid growth in registered supporters across New Zealand with the largest group now being in Auckland. We have significant number of people joining every day.

Our supporters include people from all walks of life including:

· medical doctors dentists, nurses,

· lawyers,

· engineers,

· teachers,

· builders,

· businesspeople,

· architects,

· farmers,

· mothers, retirees

· university students

Their reason for supporting Kiwis for the Treaty is that they want to see Aotearoa New Zealand thrive for their children and grandchildren. They believe we are stronger for our founding agreement te Tiriti between Māori and the Crown. And they believe te Tiriti plays an important role in ensuring we move forward together in social unity.

We are non-political and are not aligned with any political party. We are a place for people across the political spectrum, including those who voted for the current government, to come together and show support for Te Tiriti/The Treaty.

We do not oppose debate as this is fundamental to our democracy. But it should be an inclusive, respectful constructive debate, based on the years of progress we have made.

2. Economic Cost of Anti-Māori Legislation

Unfortunately, the Coalition Government’s anti - Māori legislation and policies – actual and proposed – [eg. Anti-Smoking, Māori Council Wards, Māori Health Agency, this legislation, Treaty Principles] is destroying the fundamental principle of “partnership” between the Crown and Māori.

This is causing significant mistrust, division and damage and is leading to uncertainty and social disruption, which will jeopardise New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural progress.

Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced such disruption in the past e.g. the 1975 Land March 1975, 1981 Springbok Tour protests, 2004 Foreshore & Seabed March.

Recent research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has measured the economic impact of social unrest. Their analysis underlines the importance of social cohesion for economic prosperity.

The IMF assessed the risks and economic costs of social unrest across 130 nations from 1985 to 2021. Their modelling, suggests on average, GDP remains about 1% below its pre-shock level, a year and a half after a major protest). So, based on our $415b economy, this would equate to a loss of up to $4.15b. tat is a big number – equal to $5,326 homes on this month’s national average house price.

Given the economic crisis the nation is experiencing, it is hard to understand why the Coalition Government is wasting their valuable time, resources and political capital on these Anti-Māori initiatives when they should be focussed 110% on bringing the country out of this recession as soon as possible. This is a commonly held view in the business community.

3. Equality before the Law

Equality before the Law is a fundamental principle. And one the Act Party focuses on.

If that is the case then, just as iwi have to prove before a High Court that they had their rights before 1840 and continue to exercise them. Then all New Zealanders should be required to prove that their urban or rural land or at least any foreshore or seabed they own was;

· legitimately purchased at the outset i.e. not confiscated, not paid for as agreed, not fraudulently or deceitfully acquired or stolen from Māori and

· has continued to be used for its original purpose since 1840.

Of course this would be chaos as most land couldn’t satisfy such requirements.

Therefore to ensure Māori are treated I the same way then it should be accepted that iwi did not cede the foreshore and seabed to the Crown and rather retained control over it for the purposes of the Treaty. If anyone else wants to occupy the foreshore or seabed they can negotiate with Maori just like wind farmers, miners, supermarket owners or private house buyers have to negotiate access with private landowners. Most of them reach a private access or purchase agreement. But if one of the land owners m says no then that is their choice.

4.Government Confiscation of the Foreshore Seabed – the new raupatu?

Given the current Act protects existing fishing and boating access for all New Zealanders and protection for existing structures, it’s hard to understand what the public policy reason is for making the criteria for customary rights ever harder for Maori to satisfy.

It can only be to do with plans this proposed Bill will result in the largest land confiscation from Māori since the raupatu in the 1860’s. It will be widely reported around the world and all non-Māori New Zealanders will hang our heads in shame that we let this happen. In the same way that social unrest could cost us 1% of our GDP, this will severely damage our international reputation for both business and tourism as a leading bi-cultural nation.

Is this really the future, the Coalition Government wants for New Zealand?

Kia ora

Thank you