Praise for Finlayson
TVNZ reports:
After nine years in the role, Mr Finlayson is handing over his Treaty Negotiations portfolio to former Labour leader Andrew Little.
The new Minister for Maori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, said Mr Finlayson absolutely understood the complexities of New Zealand history.
“And how he applied that knowledge to his portfolio, and his way of managing a number of challenging issues, was exceptional.”
Tuhoe negotiator Tamati Kruger said Mr Finlayson “has an ability to connect emotionally as well as intellectually with what’s going on and he has a very fair assessment of how things can proceed towards a settlement”.
“Easily we call him our friend.”
For his part, Mr Finlayson, said the role has been an education for him.
“I call it the education of a public man because I’ve learned so much about my country, about it’s history and about some of the challenges it faces,” he said.
“I consider that I’ve been the most fortunate person in the entire government because I’ve always got what I wanted.”
He faced criticism over how he dealt with cross claims, but the Tuhoe settlement and Parihaka apology remain highlights.
The Tuhoe settlement was so significant. There has been so much bad blood there, and the settlement has made a real difference.