Nanaia Mahuta to go to UN to argue rights of Indigenous Peoples

Minister Mahuta will be speaking several times at the Permanent Forum of the UN from Monday the 22nd of April.

The Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta will go to the United Nations this Easter to argue the case for Indigenous Peoples’ rights around the world. 

Minister Mahuta will be speaking several times at the Permanent Forum of the UN from Monday the 22nd of April. She will also attend a World Indigenous Business Forum roundtable discussion. 

“I want to promote what Aotearoa New Zealand is doing to address indigenous issues. I know that Tikanga Māori must add value to this country’s international reputation. 

“I will emphasise that our indigenous development is fundamental to stronger relationships between indigenous peoples and their governments. 

“At the core of what I am advocating at the UN will be New Zealand’s own roadmap to the United Nation's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

“I have already said that many of the Government’s actions on Māori development and well-being are consistent with the Declaration but there is still more we could and should do,” said Hon Nanaia Mahuta. 

This month a high-level delegation from the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (EMRIP) visited New Zealand. They held Hui up and down the country and talked to senior Government ministers. 

“I hope to have an open dialogue in New York with the representatives of other indigenous nations on the real benefits that indigenous models can bring to policy development and the delivery of public services,” said Nanaia Mahuta. 

When she is in North America, Minister Mahuta will also visit Toronto where she will attend an ANZAC service, meet with young Indigenous Leaders and visit various housing initiatives.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)