Key, Maori Party square off over asset sales

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Tue, 31 Jan 2012 6:00p.m.

Prime Minister John Key says everyone is “getting a bit ahead of themselves”

Prime Minister John Key says everyone is “getting a bit ahead of themselves”

By Patrick Gower

John Key’s National-led Government may have only just been formed, but he has already got problems.

The Maori Party is threatening to break away, over asset sales.

Its ministers are angry that National is preparing to drop a clause relating to the treaty of Waitangi, when the assets are opened up to private buyers.

It says messing with the treaty so close to this weekend’s celebrations is deliberately provocative to Maori.

There has been plenty of opposition to asset sales, but the Maori Party has taken it up a notch; threatening to quit the Government over how they fit in the Treaty of Waitangi.

“We have to be vigilant and if it comes down to the wire, the Maori Party will have to consider its position with the Government,” says Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

With the assets up for sale, National is considering dropping a legal clause that says:

“The Crown cannot act in a manner inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.”

But the Maori Party says that is a total no-go.

“It’s a deal-breaker for Maori,” says Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples.

But Prime Minister John Key says everyone is “getting a bit ahead of themselves”.

The clause seems generic, but it gives Maori power – such as if they make a future claim for the water or thermal energy used by the power companies that will be partially sold - which isn't exactly commercially appealing.

“The fact that it’s not there means it is more open for foreign buyers, particularly, to be able to buy with some degree of confidence,” says Labour Party leader David Shearer.

The Maori Party were already angry about the sale of the Crafar farms to a Chinese consortium and say the dropping of the Treaty clause is deliberately provocative ahead of Waitangi Day.

“I would have hardly though tit appropriate to be brining in this kind of opportunity for more angst,” says Ms Turia.

“It’s going to be a topic of discussion,” says Mr Key.

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Comments

03 Apr 2012 06:15p.m.

Tweety wrote:

Gary, the treaty is the exact reason thousands of NZers are on their way out. And John Key only caring about the treaty and to hell with everyone that's not a half Maori. Remembering there are no full Maoris left. And yes I'm joining the rest of my family and off to Aus as well. And yes, I will be missed, I work and get screwed thousands a year for taxes that are wasted on no hopers and handouts.

08 Feb 2012 01:21p.m.

fmacskasy.wordpress.com wrote:

Craig "@John I think you will find that the vast majority voted for John Key and National so maybe it's time you left ?" Craig - 100 kiwis a day are doing just that. I guess they've had enough of waiting for Key's promised "brighter future"?

02 Feb 2012 11:16a.m.

Gary wrote:

Maori and the crown locked together by the treaty is what makes NZ special and what it is today. I like living in NZ with its diverse cultures, get rid of that and you may as well live in UK. The changing of the wording of the treaty you would think would vito its legal standing and so become void. Where would that leave NZ, Maori living in the north and the rest in the South?? This minor change goes way beyond asset sales!! Mind you that is Johns style while everyone is looking at the left hand they pay no attention to what the right is doing! And he does it with that cheesy smirky grin just to rub it in. A true political magician, I think he has everyone mistified including himself!

01 Feb 2012 09:07p.m.

John wrote:

@Chris @Craig : Can either of you provide irrefutable evidence that the election wasn't rigged? No. Do you know why? Because they like it that way :)

01 Feb 2012 03:48p.m.

Wondering wrote:

I am wondering@ Craig and where he got his figures from. The majority did not vote for National or its politicians. They skidded and grazed in just past a hung government. they need all the support they can get. They are a bi election away from being in opposition. It is not just Maori that have a growing alarm over the fascist jackbooting trampling its way over NZ.

01 Feb 2012 03:37p.m.

Carol wrote:

"Most NZers dont want", "NZ doesnt want"....awsum to see and yet a far cry from the events of the foreshore and sea bed and many prior accounts. Its bitter sweet to see that most NXers dont want our assets sold and yet when Maori had a chance to get the land back and share it with all NZers (beside a few), "most NZers" didnt want that. But as soon as the threat is from offshore then everyone is up in arms again. They dont want it this way and they dont want it that way...well what the heck do they want...the time to make the decision for the future has long passed...the events of today is the way "most NZers" chose, even if totally oblivious in doing so. The actions of the past pave the future and now they have to live with the regrets

01 Feb 2012 07:09a.m.

Homer wrote:

@Craig, vast majority? haha your not good with figures are you.

31 Jan 2012 10:04p.m.

YURI BOYKA wrote:

@ Chris- John never said who, or even what party he supported. Your baseless accusation that he is a labour supporter is irrelevant. I also suggest that you should not use past happenings to justify what the current. We all have the right to criticize whomever is in power and the actions they take on that day.

31 Jan 2012 09:36p.m.

Chris wrote:

'John' you idiot. Labour has sold of 650,000 ha compared to National's 39,000 ha. Research the facts you moron. Labour under Clarke and Goff have sold off far more land to foreigners. Moron.

31 Jan 2012 09:23p.m.

Craig wrote:

@John I think you will find that the vast majority voted for John Key and National so maybe it's time you left ?