12. DAVID GARRETT (ACT) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: How much has Tukoroirangi Morgan been paid by the Office of Treaty Settlements as a Crown Facilitator since 16 November 2008, and has he been paid on a hourly rate, or as a fixed charge?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) : Between 16 November 2008 and 1 March 2010 the Office of Treaty Settlements has paid Mr Morgan $171,093.61, GST inclusive, for facilitation work with a number of claimant groups. Mr Morgan was paid at an hourly rate with a cap limit.

David Garrett: Can he assure the House that Tukoroirangi Morgan has not been charging for the same hours twice, once to the Office of Treaty Settlements and again to the Tainui Māori Trust Board; if not, will he release all invoices submitted by Mr Morgan to ensure there has been no double-dipping?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: In answer to the honourable member, I say that have no ministerial responsibility for whatever charging arrangements Mr Morgan may have with Waikato-Tainui. I guarantee the honourable member that any payments made by the Crown to Mr Morgan for facilitation work have been for services with the iwi groups I mentioned in my answer to the member’s primary question. That work is quite different from the Crown’s engagement with Waikato-Tainui.