The Indigenous Land Claims in New Zealand and Canada

These findings suggest that in general there is reason for optimism. Comprehensive agreements andtreaties seem to be having the outcomes expected.In particular, the agreements seem to be fostering economic development among Aboriginalpeoples in Canada and the Maori in New Zealand, often in mutually beneficial alliances with the restof the population. Certainly the stories of the Makivik Corporation, CREECO, the InuvialuitCorporate Group, Tainui Group Holdings, and the Ngai Tahu Holdings Group attest to this. However,as successful as these activities have been, they have yet to raise the socio-economic conditions amongthe affected Aboriginal and Maori groups to anything close to the level of the non-Indigenous peoplesof Canada and New Zealand. One very encouraging aspect of the results to date is that in all four casesthe progress achieved so far has not eroded the funds received as a result of the agreement. Rather, inall cases the assets have increased at the same time as socioeconomic benefits have been delivered tothe people of the communities involved. Where there is progress like this, there is hope.therefore:In closing, the answers to the four questions raised at the beginning of this summary are1. Yes; to some extent at least, economic development has followed the signing of the agreements andvaluable rights and powers over activities on traditional lands have been gained.2. The terms of the agreements are evolving, and as they do it seems likely that the Aboriginal peopleof Canada and the Maori of New Zealand will build on their already considerable success. Inparticular, the battle to retain the traditional rights rather than lose them through extinguishmentappears to have been won.3. To ensure the ongoing success, Aboriginal peoples and Maori must continue to pursuedevelopment on their terms (i.e., the eight characteristics of Aboriginal development as describedin Figure 1).4. It is in the best interests of the non-Aboriginal Canadians and non-Maori New Zealanders tosupport the land claims and treaty process. As the ARA study found, communication is the key.Non-Aboriginal and non-Maori people need to know about the positive outcomes that haveemerged following the implementation of previous settlements. In this respect, corporations, withtheir annual reporting mechanisms, are an integral part of this process.36