He Kupu Taurangi: Treaty Settlements and the Future of Aotearoa New Zealand

Book Authors Chris Finlayson and James Christmas
Rights Available World excl. NZ

Between 2008 and 2017, an unprecedented number of Treaty of Waitangi settlements were completed with iwi and hapū across New Zealand. As Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Christopher Finlayson led this work on behalf of the Crown. In doing so, he gained unique insights into the elements of successful negotiations and developed ground-breaking legal innovations that enabled settlements to be reached.

In He Kupu Taurangi, the authors tell the story of the challenges and successes of New Zealand’s Treaty Settlements project. They cover themes including apologies, financial and cultural redress, natural resources, co-governance and the establishment of legal entities. They pay particular attention to the landmark Whanganui River and Ngāi Tūhoe settlements, which have become internationally recognised. Finally, the authors look ahead to consider how to ensure Treaty settlements last the distance and what the next steps are in the Treaty relationship between Māori and the Crown.

About the Author
The Honourable Christopher Finlayson QC BA LLM HON.LLD (VUW) was elected as a National Party Member of Parliament in 2005 and served as Attorney-General and Minister for Treaty Negotiations (2008–17), Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage (2008–14), Associate Minister of Māori Development (2011–17) and Minister for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications Security Bureau (2014–17). He retired from Parliament in 2018 to return to legal practice.

James Christmas MA LLB is a barrister who was senior ministerial adviser to Christopher Finlayson (2011–16) and to Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Sir Bill English (2016–17).