Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Govt advised to speed up Treaty settlement legislation

Updated at 7:26 am on 3 February 2012

The Government has been advised it needs to increase the rate of Treaty settlement legislation going through Parliament.

The recommendation is made in a Ministry of Justice briefing to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

It says due to the increased pace of negotiations, the current procedure to legislate is insufficient.

The ministry reminds the Government that redress with the Crown does not take effect until legislation has been passed by Parliament.

About 20 Treaty settlement bills are expected to need parliamentary time this year, but the process enacts about four bills every two years.

The briefing warns that Deeds of Settlement are only valid for up to two-and-a half-years - and if bills are not passed, agreements can be re-opened and re-litigated.

The notes also point out that delays can lead to pressure from iwi for money up front from payments promised in their financial redress.

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