23 So  the  issue  becomes,  given  where  we  are,  what  is  to  be  done?  If  I  may  be permitted  to  address  the  issue  as  a  law  reformer  in  the  New  Zealand  Law Commission I would say, at present, nothing.  Once the historical grievances are out of the way and there has been a period of consultation and reflection, New Zealand will be in a better position to decide upon the next steps we need to take to bring not only constitutional and legal clarity to the position of the Treaty, but also the economic, social and cultural position of both Maori and Pakeha.  After a pause we will be able to assess how the resources in health, education and from settlement  assets  and  the  policies  of  devolution  have  worked  in  practice.    The Treaty  is  not  now,  never  has  been,  and  never  will  be  a  silver  bullet  to  solve everyone’s problems. 24 These issues do move in cycles in New Zealand, and another cycle of change will come  on  Treaty  issues  but  it  is  not  here  yet.  The  way  forward  lies  in  the development  of  ideas  and  policy  options  outside  the  political  and  government environment.  Some  further  activity  within  the  universities  and  civil  society generally is required. When a sufficient body of work has been done and some serious debate has been conducted about it, new approaches may arise. But they are not possible now. And neither am I sure what those new approaches should be. But  they  will  come  in  time.  I  am  encouraged  that  my  son,  who  has  had considerable practical experience on these issues as Deputy Secretary of Justice, is writing  a  book  that  will  provide  a  re-assessment.  The  scholarly  community  has much to contribute in this area.     25 The   position   of   the   Treaty   of   Waitangi   in   New   Zealand’s   constitutional framework  is  perhaps  the  most  difficult  issue  of  all.  Any  revision  of  New Zealand’s  constitutional  arrangements  will  require  the  place  of  the  Treaty  to  be settled and the prospect of securing anything approaching consensus on it appears to be remote. Neither is the current legal position clear. It is generally accepted on most sides that the Treaty of Waitangi has constitutional importance and is part of this country’s constitutional arrangements.  But there is major disagreement on its precise  role  and  the  nature  and  extent  of  its  importance.  Its  formal  legal  status may  be  less  important  than  its  influence  on  the  way  governmental  power  is exercised in New Zealand.