“Ngā Toki Whakarururanga sent a clear message to CPTPP leaders when we spoke to their Commission meeting on Sunday: if they are serious about being ‘inclusive’ and ‘progressive’ you need to address the Agreement’s negative impacts on Māori and other indigenous Peoples and we need an independent seat at the CPTPP table to ensure our rights and interests are protected”, said the group’s co-convenor Moana Maniapoto.
“That is what the relationship captured within Te Tiriti envisaged. That is our expectation as Māori.”
Ngā Toki Whakarururanga was created out of the Waitangi Tribunal claim on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, the precursor to the CPTPP.
Ms Maniapoto joined Waikato University Associate-Professor Jason Mika in presenting the outcomes from a two-day conference at Waikato last month, supported by MFAT, on Te Kāhui a Kiwa—Advancing Indigenous self-determination and wellbeing through trade and can the CPTPP help.
She urged the CPTPP parties to see Te Tiriti o Waitangi as an enabler, not a handbrake, whether we are talking of the climate crisis or challenges and opportunities in the digital space.
“Indigenous Peoples carry a responsibility as caretakers of the planet, to be good and responsible ancestors. It is unacceptable and immoral that our mokopuna, our grandchildren inherit this crisis because my generation – your generation – all of us in this room – have chosen not to act.”
The conference called for a partnership framework for Indigenous Peoples’ representation in the CPTPP alongside state parties that provides for involvement in its governance, implementation and outcomes, including an independent seat at the table.
Ms Maniapoto also spoke to the recommendations from the group’s input into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade three year review of the Inclusive Trade Action Group (ITAG), which was attached to the official report presented to the CPTPP Commission.
“Our part of the review sets out the risks that the CPTPP poses to Māori. Many of these were raised before the Waitangi Tribunal and need to be addressed in the forthcoming review of the CPTPP, including more effective protection through a revised Treaty of Waitangi Exception”, according to Maui Solomon, one of the pūkenga (experts) who prepared the analysis.
“It’s disappointing that the revised “Joint Declaration on Inclusive and Sustainable Trade” issued on Sunday still focuses only on advancing trade and investment opportunities without addressing the fundamental issues of Indigenous Peoples’ representation and effective protection of our Tiriti rights and responsibilities”, Mr Solomon said.
Contact: Maui Solomon, 027 598 9997 ; 03 305 0797 ; mauis@xtra.co.nz