[asia-apec 1519] Maori Independence Supporters re proposed Singapore-NZ trade deal

[APEC Monitoring Group]

Press Release 

POTENTIAL THREAT TO SINGAPOREAN INVESTMENT BY MAORI 

Singaporean investment may be violently targeted say Maori Independence supporters if the Singaporean and New Zealand governments fail to include Maori formally in the current negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement. 
Under the Treaty of Waitangi the New Zealand government must share the negotiation of international agreements with Maori. To date the Government has failed to fulfill this provision and is therefore in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. 

International agreements such as the Multilateral Agreement on Investment that impact on the land, resources and the Treaty of Waitangi have continually resulted in mass protest and the direct destabilisation of investment after the New Zealand government's failure to hold meaningful discussions with Maori. 

"The NO to the MAI agreement was a NO to all these types of free dealing agreements, We have nothing left to lose. If meaningful dialogue does not take place action will be imminent" says one Maori Independence supporter. 

The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore is experiencing delays following Singapore's concerns over Treaty of Waitangi issues; concerns that Maori Independence supporters say are justified. 

For further comment contact: Matire Ropiha: Matire.Ropiha at vuw.ac.nz Ph 021 1177978 C/ Ngai Tauira, Maori Students Association of Victoria University, Student Union Building, Po Box 600, Wellington. Aotearoa - New Zealand 

ENDS


4 August 2000 

Prof S Jayakumar 
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
250 North Bridge Road 
#07-00 Raffles City Tower 
Singapore 179101 

CC: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, Minister of Trade and Industry Singapore, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand, The Straits Times Singapore. 

Attention: Minister of Foreign Affairs 

We the undersigned refer to the negotiations between Aotearoa/New Zealand and Singapore. We are deeply concerned about current negotiations between the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Singaporean government, with specific reference to the exclusion of Maori, and the provisions which should be accorded to us under the Treaty of Waitangi in these negotiations. 

We greet with enthusiasm recent recognition of the rights of Maori in New Zealand by the Singaporean government. Recent comments made by the Hon. Simon Upton have indicated to us that the Singaporean Government is concerned about Maori rights in New Zealand and the urgency with which these must be accorded priority status. 
We understand the Singaporean government reservations in undertaking a Free Trade Agreement with the New Zealand Government without formal integration of Maori in this process. Under the Treaty of Waitangi the New Zealand government is obligated to share the negotiation of international agreements with Maori in a dual capacity. To date the Government has failed to fullfil this provision and is therefore in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. 

Maori have a history of tense interaction with the Government and particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 1998 there were mass demonstrations against the secrecy of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment negotiations with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was forced to consult with Maori around the country, where upon Maori rejected the Agreement and full negotiations stalled. 

As you are well aware Maori are deeply concerned about investment in New Zealand particularly with regard to land, the ownership of which continues to be disputed by Maori. We understand your concern that your investment in New Zealand may well be jeopardised in the future. Your insistence for the inclusion of Maori in all negotiations regarding a Free Trade Area could well secure against such complications. We urge you to pursue this course of action. 

We look forward to your response. 
Yours Sincerely 

Aotearoa Educators 

Foundation for Independent Aotearoa 
C/- Annette Sykes 
PO Box 1693 
Rotorua

Eamon Nathan
Te Mana Akonga (Inc.) 
Mahina Melbourne 
Teanau Tuiono 
Te Kawau Maro 
Annemarie Gillies 
Management Systems 
College of Business 
Massey University 
Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa 
Te Warihi Fraser Taiapa
Co-Director/Tutor
Design and Art Studies
Te Wananga o Raukawa 
Graeme Everton
Te Wananga o Raukawa
Caleb Royal
Director of Heke Matauranga Putaiao
Te Wananga o Raukawa 
Nga Tangata Tiaki Mo te Whenua Trust
Tracie Pile
Year 3 Student
Bachelor of Matauranga Maori
Te Wananga o Raukawa 
Maria Bargh
Maaori Marketing Management Consultancy
Laures Park
Kiingi Frank Thorne
Ngaati Hikairo, Ngaati Puhiawe, Ngaati Horotakere, Ngaati Apakura



(Far Eastern Economic Review)

Dear Editor
[Re: August 17 2000, Trade Tariff Terminator]
Your article brushes over the growing dissatisfaction amongst the indigenous people of New Zealand, Maori, regarding the free trade agreement negotiations. Recent reports from New Zealand indicate that Maori are in fact threatening to disrupt Singaporean investment if the agreement goes ahead. 
Your article suggests that most benefits of the agreement will accrue to New Zealand. However Maori have consistently stated that 'free' trade is detrimental to their aspirations, particularly for the return of land, the ownership of which continues to be contested with the New Zealand government and courts. The process of settling these claims will continue for at least another decade. 
Additionally, your article claims that "some technicalities and the legal language remain to be finalized". These technicalities are in fact disputes over the inclusion of a clause regarding the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) which requires that the Government recognize the economic and political independence of Maori as equals in New Zealand. Failure by the government to adhere to these requirements has increased tension between the parties. 
Maori have not been formally included in negotiations between the two countries as required under the Treaty of Waitangi and many plan to prevent the finalizing and implementation of this agreement.
Yours sincerely 
Maria Bargh 
Politics and International Relations 
School of Social Sciences 
Faculty of Arts 
Australian National University 
Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA 
Ph: +61 2 6249 0522 
Fax: +61 2 6249 5054 
Email: Maria.Bargh at anu.edu.au



(and this was just a little something else we emailed cc of many Singaporean officials from Tino-rangatiratanga at egroups.com to stir)

#Attention Minister of Foreign Affairs Singapore

Tena Koe Prof S Jayakumar

I am writing with regard to the Free Trade Agreement currently being 
negotiated by your Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 
in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Many Maori are extremely concerned that the government is breaking its 
international obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) which requires 
that the Government recognise the economic and political independence of 
Maori as equals in this country.

This Agreement will have serious consequences for Maori. These consequences 
have not been fully explored and Maori groups are anxious that they are 
taken formally into account in this regard.

Being the indigenous people of Aotearoa, Maori obviously have a strong 
connection with the land. We also continue to have hundreds of claims on 
land before the Waitangi Tribunal. You must be aware that any investment in 
land in Aotearoa will not be stable as long as Maori have unsettled claims. 

>From all accounts Maori land claims will continue for many years ahead.
As you may also be aware Maori have often occupied land in the past when 
disputes over ownership have arisen. If Maori continue to be formally 
excluded from negotiations of an international nature, and if the New 
Zealand government continues its present Treaty settlement process this 
style of confrontation will also continue.

We urge you to reconsider your present negotiations with the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand.

Noho ora mai