Privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. The New Zealand government has fostered numerous privileges for those who claim Maori ancestry. Tax exemption for tribal corporations and the multi-million dollar cash transfers in the name of river “co-governance” are two forms of undeniable and highly questionable forms of race-based privilege carried on in plain sight.

Tax exemption

Publicly, the newly wealthy tribal corporations, with $10-billion belonging to trusts and post-settlement tribes, are lauded for contributing to the economy, but these entities pay little tax. Amendments to the Income Tax Act in 2003 meant that tribal trusts could function as charities. Treaty settlements are not taxed.

Waikato-Tainui’s 2014 report says the Raupatu Land Trust had a net profit of $70.9-million, distributed $6.1-million, claimed a net worth of $783.7-million, and paid income tax of $342,000.

Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu's 2013 report listed a net operating surplus of $50.86 million, distributed $17.3 million, claimed a net worth of $877.26 million, and paid just $160,000 in tax.

River “co-governance”

Tribal claims for 50:50 go-governance as a treaty right are loud and clear but few are aware of the river of cash this entails.

In 2009, Waikato-Tainui signed an agreement over the tribe’s Waikato River raupatu claim. The Crown agreed to pay immediate redress of $70-million plus an additional $30-million for “co-management funding” (separate from an additional $21-million plus $7-million annually for 27 years paid to the Waikato River Clean-up Trust (for the actual clean-up). The $30-million co-management fee was agreed as $3-million on settlement with a further $1-million annually for 27 years.

Similar co-governance deals were signed with four other tribes for the Waikato River -- Te Arawa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Maniapoto – with the total amount of cash involved being $400.8-million just for the Waikato River.

The agreements became blueprints for other tribes on other rivers. In short, river co-governance deals mean rivers of cash for river tribes, and most tribes claim a river.

Conclusion

Numerous Maori object to the “special needs” status implied by the lingering paternalism shown in such special rights policies. However, special treatment appears in health, education, welfare, housing, prisons, government positions, seats on local councils, and seats in parliament. The question is why, after at least 175 years of co-existence, do we need a Waitangi Tribunal, a separate Maori department, and a myriad of race-based entitlements? Do these special needs policies foster dependence or independence?