The right to development and indigenous peoples: Lessons from New Zealand

Discourses surrounding the right to development have paid scant attention to its application to indigenous peoples, particularly in developed countries. This paper argues that the emerging recognition of a right to development for New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori, provides lessons of international significance. The New Zealand jurisprudence suggests that the right to development may apply to a wide range of resources, including both resources used traditionally by indigenous peoples and resources not known or used by indigenous peoples in traditional times. If other countries follow this interpretation, rights-based development in both developed and developing countries will be enhanced.