The Human Rights Commission is calling for the government to form new partnerships with Maori and establish new forums for consultation.
It is among seven priorities proposed by the Commission to improve human rights of Maori.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says systemic disadvantage and emerging issues impacting on Maori have not been fully addressed. He says New Zealand needs to look at new pathways to partnership, particularly in areas such as resource management, co-management, and at central and local government.
Mr de Bres says in latest treaty settlements there has been more willingness to talk about the various kinds of co-management between Maori and the Crown, such as the Waikato River deal with Tainui.
The commission also believes there is a need to look at connections of Maori to other Pacific people. He says people in the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue are New Zealand citizens.
Mr de Bres wants to broaden the discussion about what being indigenous means to them and how New Zealand is a part of the wider Pacific.
Source: NewstalkZB
