Former ACT leader Richard Prebble appointed to Waitangi Tribunal

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Former ACT Party leader Richard Prebble photographed on election night in 2011.

Former ACT Party leader Richard Prebble has been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Prebble, a Commander of the British Empire, is one of two new members to be appointed, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said in a statement on Thursday.

Prebble is a former Cabinet minister who was originally a member of the Labour Party. He joined the newly formed ACT party in 1996, later becoming its leader until 2004.

Since leaving parliament, he has provided pro-bono advice to Māori trusts, hapū, and iwis, a statement from Potaka said.

ACT leader David Seymour congratulated Prebble in a statement today.

“Richard is also an experienced lawyer, MP, and company director, with an extensive knowledge of te ao Māori. He is exactly the sort of person who should be on the Tribunal,” Seymour said.

“Richard was first elected to Parliament in 1975, the same year as it passed the Treaty of Waitangi Act and created the Waitangi Tribunal. That is valuable perspective in an institution that has badly drifted in its purpose,” he said.

Two more Tribunal appointments

Ken Williamson has also been appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal for the first time, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand.

The Waitangi Tribunal's interim report criticizes the Treaty Principles Bill as discriminatory and politically motivated. It urges the government to abandon the bill, citing a lack of Māori consultation.

Potaka’s statement said Williamson had extensive experience as a practitioner and governor in risk prevention, risk management and disaster management.

Also reappointed to the Tribunal was Kevin Prime, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua, Tainui).

His reappointment will mark his second term with the tribunal.

“Ensuring we have a range of talented appointees on tribunals and boards is absolutely key to the delivery of better public services,” Potaka said.