27 June 2006 The Prime Minister Parliament Buildings WELLINGTON Cc Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dear Helen Clark The Tamaki Treaty Workers Group is extremely concerned about the New Zealand Government position on the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We have been concerned for some time about the process being used to get this draft Declaration approved by the United Nations. Of particular concern to us is the lack of consultation with Maori and also with New Zealand civil society and about the New Zealand Government behaviour and voting record over the years, which has not only angered Indigenous Peoples who have been attending the meetings, but is also an embarrassment to all New Zealanders. The behaviour of the New Zealand government and the position they have taken on the draft Declaration is a gross denial of human rights and breaches the Treaty of Waitangi. The New Zealand government refuses to acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have the same rights as other peoples. New Zealand’s position undermines exiting international law and is based on an outdated interpretation of norms such as the right to self-determination. The New Zealand government’s position on the draft Declaration is inconsistent with their obligations under international law, in particular as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights. Article 3 of both Covenants requires them to promote the realisation of the right to self-determination, not to oppose it and attempt to redefine it. We strongly urge the New Zealand government to refrain from its current unhelpful stance and decline to make any further interventions opposing the Declaration at the UN Human Rights Council or other fora. We also urge the government to re-open meaningful dialogue with Maori in regard to the Declaration and the Chair’s text and that the government assist Maori to hold appropriate dialogue on the issues. Tamaki Treaty Workers is a networking group in Auckland of non-indigenous anti-racism educators, which is part of a national network of independent regional groups educating and informing New Zealanders about the rights guaranteed in the Treaty of Waitangi. Yours sincerely Joan Macdonald Coordinator   TAMAKI TREATY WORKERS Ph 09 360 8001 / Fax 09 360 8005 / e-mail joanmac@pl.net PO Box 47-189 Ponsonby Auckland 1011