Government can ignore Waitangi Tribunal on asset sales

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Government can ignore Waitangi Tribunal on asset sales

3News NZ

Prime Minister John Key (AAP)

Prime Minister John Key (AAP)

By 3 News online staff

Prime Minister John Key is being accused of disrespecting the Waitangi Tribunal after saying the Government could choose to ignore its decisions and go ahead with the sale of state owned assets.

It comes as the tribunal hears from claimants wanting the sale of state owned assets while Maori ownership issues are resolved.

Mr Key told Firstline he will go ahead with asset sales regardless of whether the tribunal finds in favour of Maori who are claiming ownership to water.

“It’s our view that no-one owns water, just in the same way we don’t think that anyone owns the sea, and we don’t think that anyone owns air, and that has been a longstanding position of successive New Zealand governments,” he told Firstline this morning.

Speaking to the show, he stuck to his view the Government is in a position to ignore decisions made by the tribunal.

“The legal position is that governments aren’t bound by the Waitangi Tribunal,” he says.

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Comments

12/07/2012 10:21:32 a.m.

Elizabeth wrote:

If no one owns the water then why is the prime minister sell it? its like when he said no one owns the air why is he going to charge farmers for their cows passing gas? no one owns the air indiffenantly.

12/07/2012 10:13:45 a.m.

charlene wrote:

If John Keys really classes him self as a New Zealander he shouldnt be selling NZ assests as I am worried that they might destroy our beautiful green grass and the resources that this lovely country has. our generations of New Zealanders want be able to enjoy these. the water to Maori people is spiritual to them because they thank the sea and the land for providing food and other resources "its called respect if you know what that means" and if this falls into the hands of foreigners this who knows what will be left of it.

10/07/2012 6:40:25 p.m.

Dee wrote:

This is not about money, the only thing Pakeha understand is money! This is about the future of the country. DonKey and his cronies will hock of the future of our children.

10/07/2012 2:49:06 p.m.

Labour sucks wrote:

Funny how its an issue when their money to be made - so much for water being 'spiritual' to Maori.

10/07/2012 2:17:16 p.m.

David wrote:

If Maori are doing this on the possibility that this will permanently halt the governments unpopular, misguided, unintelligent asset sales... then I applaud them. If they are doing this as an incentive to make a profit off the sales by charging a royalty or access fee... then they will lose part of my respect. Maoridom is suppsed to be about protecting the land... Nationals asset sales plans jeopardise that as most of these shares... within the first couple of years will be owned by foreign multi national corporations. This has been the case in Australia... and will happen here as well. Key knows that he can sell it as a mum and dad investor opportunity... however he knows the shares wont stay there. So the whole thing is a bit of a shonky con really... guess you cant expect much more from Key as all of his career has revolved around having the morals and ethics of a used car salesman.

10/07/2012 1:11:23 p.m.

johnmillan wrote:

I would be far better for the Maori Party too sever the ties with the Nat Party,as it would be more effective way too shoW the PM where to go.

10/07/2012 10:40:48 a.m.

Pete George wrote:

But we can't have all legislation able to be held up on the whim of Waitangi Tribunal action. If water rights are a valid claim that should be dealt with, but it shouldn't be used as a weapon against the anti policy of the day.