By Brook Sabin
The Government is offering Maori millions of dollars' worth of shares as part of its planned state asset sales.
But Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says it’s a second-class deal, aimed at getting Maori to shut up and go away.
The battle over state asset sales and water rights looks set to head to court, led by the Maori Council. But not before the Government today dangled its own carrot, saying some iwi just want to buy shares.
“There's a lot of different people who claim to talk on behalf of Maori, and we're finding often they're wrong,” Finance Minister Bill English says.
The deal will be open to Maori who haven't settled their treaty claim, a group which includes 65 iwi.
Up to 12.5 percent of their future settlement would be cashed in for shares and if all iwi took it up, it would total around $145 million of the share float.
But Labour MP David Parker says it is confusing.
“On Monday we had shares plus, today we have special shares for Maori - it's a shambles.”
Mr Harawira says the offer is insulting to Maori.
“They're offering iwi a second-class deal if they'll shut up and go away. It's an insult.”
The Government denies it's a move to derail court action, but some argue iwi who accept this deal could shy away from funding court action.
And money is crucial because the Maori Council needs to raise $400,000 for its legal challenge.
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