Minister for Māori Crown Relations

The Minister for Māori Crown Relations is a minister in the New Zealand Government responsible for overseeing Te Arawhiti, the Office of Māori Crown Relations.

Minister for Māori Crown Relations
Incumbent
Tama Potaka
since 27 November 2023
Ministry of Justice
StyleThe Honourable
Member of
Reports toPrime Minister of New Zealand
AppointerGovernor-General of New Zealand
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation2017
First holderKelvin Davis
Salary$288,900[1]
Website[1]

Role and responsibilities

The role was created in October 2017, following the 2017 New Zealand election and the formation of the Sixth Labour Government. Its first occupant was Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis; Davis had initially expected to be appointed Treaty Negotiations minister, but his Ngāpuhi heritage proved to much of a conflict of interest, due to Ngāpuhi and the Crown's ongoing efforts to broker a Treaty settlement.[2]

The portfolio differs from the similar Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations portfolio, which is responsible for brokering Treaty settlements between Iwi and the Crown, and is instead responsible for ensuring the that Government honors its settlement commitments with Māori.[2] The minister is also responsible for coordinating significant Māori/Crown events, ensuring engagement between the government and Māori is meaningful, and providing ministerial oversight of Te Arawhiti, the Office of Māori Crown Relations.[3] During the Sixth Labour Government, the holder of the portfolio chaired the Cabinet Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Committee.[4]

List of ministers

Key

  Labour  National

No.NamePortraitTerm of officePrime Minister
1Kelvin Davis 26 October 201727 November 2023Ardern
Hipkins
2Tama Potaka 27 November 2023presentLuxon

References