Cash contributions for Maori projects are no secret – but what about the constitutional changes?

Just a few days before Waitangi Day the government announced it has earmarked several million more dollars for Maori projects.   During Waitangi Day commemorations it may express its willingness to give iwi leaders a greater say in governance, too (but without providing critical details).

Empowering iwi leaders in the name of “partnership” is a matter with profound constitutional implications, of course.  But when Point of Order raised questions last September about the government’s co-governance agenda and the constitutional  impacts on all Kiwi citizens, we received no answers.

The cash component of the government’s generosity is not so secret.  Some of it was included in announcements made by the PM and the Minister of Handouts two days ago at Otamatea Marae.