By Political Editor Duncan Garner
The Maori Party's threat to walk out of Government over a proposal to ditch a clause protecting Maori rights in law has been resolved.
The Government says it will keep a version of Section 9 in the asset sales legislation, meaning Maori will continued to be consulted on major decisions.
Bill English said today that National has “indicated that [Maori] rights and interests will be protected” in asset sales legislation.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says the move is “a victory for the Maori Party”.
The Government had considered dropping Section 9 from the law governing the power companies that will be partially sold.
Section 9 is a “general clause requiring that the Crown does not act in a manner that is inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty Of Waitangi" – a clause which is hugely important to Maori, and means they will be consulted on future decisions.
Mr English says Maori are “pretty keen about water quality… and they want to make sure a sale doesn't stop them having a say”.
The treaty obligations will apply to the Crown only, not the private investors buying shares.
Dr Sharples says the threat to leave Government over the issue was not an empty one, and is “still there”.
National says the clause provides certainty for investors and Maori, and Mr English denies the party is backing down.
Maori have a claim in for ownership of the water the power companies use, and Dr Sharples is encouraging iwi to pursue this.
However, Mr English says the water is “not for sale - it's not owned by anybody”.
Watch the video for more.
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