Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei has accused the Crown and its representatives of breaching the Treaty of Waitangi, during the settling of grievances by Maori.
She told Parliament last night the settlement process was not designed by Maori or for Maori, but according to the needs of the Crown.
She says the party agrees there must be restitution for all historical breaches of the Treaty, but the Crown looks for a cheap and quick way of addressing issues.
Mrs Turei says the settlement process undermines particular issues and claims which hapu have, by focusing on large natural groupings of Maori rather than supporting haputanga.
She told Parliament because the Green party doesn't believe the settlement process is just for Maori, it would abstain on the first reading of the Ngati Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill.
Mrs Turei says it's a big step for the party, but the bill isn't a satisfactory outcome for the hapu and iwi concerned.
