26 The  Cabinet  Manual  2001  requires  Cabinet  papers  to  confirm  compliance  with Treaty principles in relation to Bills for introduction and bids for inclusion in the legislative  programme.    Papers  to  secure  approval  for  government  bills  are required to report on the consistency of what is proposed with the Treaty. Lord Cooke said in a 1990 extra-judicial utterance of the Treaty “It is simply the most important  document  in  New  Zealand’s  history.”¹⁶  But  the  proper  legal  and constitutional roles of the Treaty remain to be decided.   27 The Royal Commission on Electoral law recommended as long ago as 1986 that “Parliament and Government should enter into consultation and discussion with a wide  range  of  representatives  of  the  Maori  people  about  the  definition  and protection  of  the  rights  of  the  Maori  people  and  the  recognition  of  their constitutional  position  under  the  Treaty  of  Waitangi.”¹⁷  That  remains  a  sound recommendation. It was echoed in the extraordinarily cautious report before the 2005 general election of the Constitutional Arrangements Select Committee. This recommended that “There should be specific processes for facilitating discussion within Maori communities on constitutional issues.”¹⁸ Sooner or later these things will  have  to  happen.  But  before  they  do  we  need  some  firmer  analysis  of  the possible  policy  options  and  approaches  available.  It  will  take  some  years  to generate those and then slide the issues back into the system of Government. At present I can see no clear direction in which to guide Government policy.   28 In the end I am an optimist about the Treaty and its place now and in the future. We are a long way from 1840 now. But we have accomplished much and while there  is  more  to  be  done  I  am  confident  developments  will  take  place  in  the fullness of time, perhaps in ways we do not yet discern. Issues between Maori and Pakeha will endure in New Zealand, including issues concerning the Treaty. The New Zealand sense of national identity is uniquely defined by a contribution from Maori.  Tolerance  and  a  generosity  of  spirit  remains  a  predominant  part  of  the make-up of New Zealanders.                                                   16    Sir Robin Cooke “Introduction” (1990-1991) 14 NZULR 1. 17    Royal Commission on the Electoral System “Towards a Better Democracy” [1986-87] IX AJHR H.3 112. 18   Constitutional   Arrangements   Committee   “Inquiry   to   Review   New   Zealand’s   Existing Constitutional Arrangements” [2005] AJHR I. 24A 5.