Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, otherwise known as the Treaty Negotiations Minister or the Minister of Treaty Negotiations, is a minister in the Government of New Zealand. The minister is tasked with multiple duties including, but not limited to, overseeing the negotiations of Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements. The Minister falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. There is no definitive answer as for when the Ministerial position was established; however, the oldest mention of the position dates to 1993, with the re-election of the Fourth National Government; who was elected on the promise of settling major Treaty claims. Responsibilities The primary responsibility of the Minister is to ensure and maintain fair settlements between Māori and the Crown and to provide oversight over the negotiation and settlement process. The lead negotiating power within the Treaty negotiations is the Office of Treaty Settlements; however, this office reports to the Treaty Negotiations Minister, and makes its decisions based on the recommendations of the Cabinet. Another key responsibility for the Treaty Negotiations Minister is to provide a Crown-backed apology to every claimant, once their settlement has been legislated, as a form of acknowledgement of the government alienation that led to the settlement being lodged, as well as an act of good faith with the hope of future co-operation between the two parties. In 1997, then-Minister Doug Graham said, "The goal is to restore the relationship so that all New Zealanders can face the future without looking back at the problems of the past".