✨ Speech from the Throne
4708 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 187 9 NOVEMBER 2005
Honourable Members,
One of the most distinctive features of contemporary New Zealand is our increasingly diverse population.
As New Zealand moves forward, we must address needs across a range of communities and ethnicities.
Social solidarity will be critical to our country’s success. My government will continue to promote tolerance and understanding between all those who make up our nation. The New Zealand way has always been to move forward together, recognising the independence of individuals, while pooling our collective talent for the good of our economy and society.
The place of Maori in contemporary New Zealand has been a matter of much controversy in recent times.
My government seeks to encourage rational and informed dialogue on the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, and on the rights and responsibilities of the Crown and Maori, and, indeed, of all New Zealanders.
It is time to recognise the emergence of a new, dynamic, confident Maoridom. It is time to lift aspirations, celebrate and encourage success, and not dwell on past failure. Pride in the achievements of all New Zealand communities and peoples must be seen as a cornerstone of the New Zealand way.
Success for Maori will come from utilising the many opportunities now available. Implementation of the Maori Fisheries Act, the acceleration of the registration of Maori Land Court Orders in the land transfer system, the expansion of the Maori Business Facilitation Service, the acceleration of the Treaty settlement process, and the continued expansion of educational opportunities will all assist.
My government is also working to conclude agreements on foreshore and seabed issues with both Ngati Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui over the coming period. These agreements will demonstrate that the Foreshore and Seabed Act does both protect the interests of the general population and recognise the special interests of Maori where those can be demonstrated to exist.
As well my government will be setting a final date for the lodging of historical Treaty claims by 1 September 2008 with the objective of having claims settled by 2020.
Honourable Members,
The election result has given my government the opportunity to build on the New Zealand way of working that has emerged over the last six years.
With the announcement of the final vote count on 1 October it was clear that the Labour Party held the largest number of seats. With other parties committed to discussing the formation of a government first with the party with the largest number of seats, negotiations were able to commence. This led to the Prime Minister being able to inform me some two weeks later that she was in a position to form a government with a secure majority in the House on confidence and supply.
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Online Sources for this page:
VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 2005, No 187
Gazette.govt.nz —
NZ Gazette 2005, No 187
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Speech from the Throne at the State Opening of Parliament
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🏛️ Governance & Central Administration8 November 2005
Governor-General, Parliament, State Opening, National Identity, Creative Sectors, Sports, Environment, Biodiversity, Water Quality, Resource Management Act, Climate Change, Social Solidarity, Diversity, Maori, Treaty of Waitangi, Maori Fisheries Act, Maori Land Court, Treaty Settlement, Foreshore and Seabed Act, Election, Government Formation