Positive progress on Treaty of Waitangi issues continued over the past year, with the Maori Party's contribution to government and a pledge to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act points of note, the Human Rights Commission says.
Its annual review, Te Tiriti o Waitangi - the Treaty of Waitangi: 2009 in Review, found the Maori Party's involvement in government had contributed to the continued momentum.
The Maori Party won concessions for some iwi in the revised emissions trading scheme, established the Taskforce on Whanau-centred Initiatives, and reached agreement on a Maori flag for Waitangi Day.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said there were significant hearings and reports by the Waitangi Tribunal, terms of negotiation and deeds of settlement signed, and settlement legislation passed in Parliament.
The Government's pledge to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act was also a positive move.
However, no provision was made for Maori seats on the Auckland Super City council, despite a Royal Commission recommendation and widespread support.
A public opinion survey found 41 percent of New Zealanders had a good understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, up from 34 percent, and 56 percent viewed the Treaty as New Zealand's founding document.
Mr de Bres said a major issue this year would be a proposed constitutional review, including the place of the Treaty and Maori representation in constitutional arrangements.
Other milestones included the New Zealand Geographic Board's vote to change the spelling of Wanganui to Whanganui, Crown-iwi hui to discuss reaching the 2014 Treaty settlement goal and the establishment of a Maori Trustee separate from Te Puni Kokiri.
The Human Rights Commission proposed seven priorities to improve Maori rights, including examining constitutional arrangements, settling grievances promptly and fairly, and forging new pathways to partnership and consultation between the Crown and Maori.
Public awareness of the Treaty needed to be promoted, along with building relationships between Maori and non-Maori.
