887 (2025). Steve Abel to the Minister for Māori Development

887 (2025). Steve Abel to the Minister for Māori Development: What weight, if any, is given to a candidate’s track record in promoting or supporting Te Tiriti o Waitangi when considering them for appointment to the Waitangi Tribunal?

Hon Tama Potaka: When recommending appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal, I follow the statutory requirements in the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 (the Act). When it comes to the suitability of persons for appointment, that means that I shall have regard to the partnership between the two parties to the Treaty, and shall have regard not only to a person’s personal attributes but also to a person’s knowledge of and experience in the different aspects of matters likely to come before the Tribunal (see section 4(2A) of the Act). Further, my recommendations for appointments are informed by consultation with the Minister of Justice (as required by the Act) and other Ministerial colleagues, relevant Cabinet Office guidance, advice offered by the Chair of the Waitangi Tribunal, and advice from my officials at Te Puni Kōkiri. This is the process I have followed to inform my recommendations for appointment on each occasion I have made such recommendations. When it comes to relevant experience and expertise, I would include the following as examples of what I look for when recommending appointments (in no particular order): Mātauranga Māori, kaumātua, public policy, state sector practice. community leadership, 19th and 20th century Aotearoa New Zealand history, constitutional and legal experience, and corporate leadership. My focus in recommending appointments (or reappointments) to the Tribunal is ensuring that the Tribunal is best placed to be able to draw upon a balanced and broad range of expertise necessary to carry out its important functions. When it comes to advice I received when recommending appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal, I refer the Member to Te Puni Kōkiri’s website where monthly lists are published of advice provided to me https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/mo-te-puni-kokiri/our-people/ministers/list-of-advice-received-by-the-minister-for-maori-development .