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The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification - submissionsNew Zealand Maori CouncilSTRATEGIC ISSUES & OPTIONSSubmission The New Zealand Maori Council (NZMC) opened their submission with a proverb: Hutia te rito o te harakeke, Keihea te Komako e ko? Ki te patai mai koe, Rip out the heart of the flax bush, where will the Bellbird be? If you ask me,
He aha te mea nui o te AO? Maku e ki atu, HE TANGATA! HE TANGATA! What is the greatest thing on Earth? I will respond, IT IS PEOPLE! IT IS PEOPLE!
They stated that this whakatauaaki or proverb is all about the balance that must be maintained between the land, flora, fauna and mankind. in their opinion if we destroy, alter, or change the natural state of the elements then that which we hold dear will no longer exist.
The NZMC then noted that failure to protect the integrity of the whakapapa and taiao has already resulted in a mistrust of the Government as well as the private company/corporation consultation system. Furthermore, there has been a breakdown in race relations resulting in costly court action that has, in their opinion, always ended in a diminution of tino rangatiratanga and therefore a loss of faith in the democratic system. In their opinion, therefore, if Maori views in respect to GM technology are not adequately addressed, objection to, and obstruction of, GM technology will escalate.
They then submitted that the key element in the attitude of Maori to GM technology is Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi. This article gives Maori exclusive, and proprietal rights to their taonga that need to be legislatively recognised. Furthermore, the right to development is crucial to co-operative action by the Tangata Whenua. A ‘Closing of the Gaps’ policy that encourages Maori participation and progress in the field of GM technology must therefore be vigorously promoted. The NZMC also noted that indigenous peoples have rights to participate in national and international forums in respect to GM technology. In their opinion, the present denial of access to these forums fuels discord and discontent.
The Crown Forest Rental Trust model was then outlined. In this model the Crown controls the marketing and selling of the trees and establishes Trusts that receive licence fees. The Treaty of Waitangi is then used to address ownership claims. The NZMC submitted that legislation be enacted to achieve for Maori and Crown in the field of GM technology that which has been achieved in the Forestry. The legislation and Deed should be negotiated between the NZMC and the Crown. Licences for rights in respect to GM technology will be created and then on-sold as leases to Government, Maori, Corporate or private bodies. The ownership of such rights would be determined by the Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal as binding recommendations. In the creation of these rights, the whakapapa, taiao, body of knowledge Maori, intellectual property, and flora and fauna are protected. |