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Key refuses to attend water rights hui

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Key refuses to attend water rights hui

3News NZ

John Key says he would meet iwi on a one-on-one basis (file)

John Key says he would meet iwi on a one-on-one basis (file)

By 3 News online staff with NZN

Prime Minister John Key says he won't be attending a hui organised by Maori to discuss their claims to water rights next week.

Mr Key announced on Monday that the first state owned asset sale of Mighty River Power will be delayed until next year to allow time for consultation with Maori.

He said he would meet iwi on a one-on-one basis rather than organising a hui.

“This is an issue of rights and interests that should be recognised by the Crown – where they are appropriate – on an iwi-by-iwi basis, and it’s not in our view something that can be resolved through pan Maori interest.”

Mr Key maintains that no one owns water and says consultations will focus on the ‘shares plus’ option.

Ministers are heading into five weeks of discussions with iwi over water rights.

Mr Key says he wants "clarity and certainty" around Maori claims that their rights will be compromised.

The Maori Council, which sought the delay, has welcomed it but says it is keeping its legal options open.

It would have sought a High Court injunction if the government had insisted on the November deadline.

The Maori King is calling on all Maori across New Zealand to join forces to protect what he says are their rights and interests.

King Tuheitia is to hold a hui at Turangawaewae marae next week to discuss the Government's response to the Waitangi Tribunal report on water rights.

"The king is being very clear – this is the most important issue to face Maori," says Kingitanga spokesman Tuku Morgan.

"The invitation is open to all our people who want to talk in a constructive way about protecting the rights and interests of our people."

The hui will also address the consequences of the proposed sale of state-owned assets.

3 News / NZN

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Comments

6/09/2012 10:28:35 a.m.

Richard wrote:

Keys gets my vote for his stand on this. Blackmail from groups who want another free crack at the treaty trough should not be pandered to. Remember that every dollar this group of misfits get is a dollar that will never be used to build a school, a hospital or create anthing useful. These dollars are syphoned off by the smart brown lawyers and no ordinary Maori ever sees a cent of it.

5/09/2012 10:05:29 p.m.

Wiseacre wrote:

@JIM - And how many jobs has Key created in his four years? How are those 170,000 jobs they kept promising every budget? Seems unemployment has only gone up under the Key-led National Government.

5/09/2012 9:19:55 p.m.

Wiseacre wrote:

@JIM - Asset sales won't reduce debt. Asset sales won't boost the economy. Treasury conceded that savings on interest payments from lower debt will be less than the foregone profits. The Budget shows that asset sales would make the deficit worse by about $100 million per year. Every analyses agrees that selling our strategic, income generating infrastructure will leave NZ worse off. Do try and keep up.

5/09/2012 7:45:04 p.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

QUOTE: "Mr Key announced on Monday that the first state owned asset sale of Mighty River Power will be delayed until next year to allow time for consultation with Maori.

He said he would meet iwi on a one-on-one basis rather than organising a hui.

“This is an issue of rights and interests that should be recognised by the Crown – where they are appropriate – on an iwi-by-iwi basis, and it’s not in our view something that can be resolved through pan Maori interest.”



You are absolutely correct Mr Key. There would be no point attending a meeting organised and supported by the opposition lefties - Labour, the Unions, Mana, Greens and maybe NZ First who are all opposed to any ideas to decrease our debt and are devoid of any real ideas to increase real jobs in the private sector.

5/09/2012 6:13:43 p.m.

vines wilks wrote:

poor little bankster is he throwing another tantrum poor didums .

5/09/2012 5:02:46 p.m.

Wiseacre wrote:

Key's refusal to talk with the Maori Council and only deal with individual Iwi is classic National divide and conquer. He divided Pakeha against Maori with his constantly braying "nobody owns the water"; now he seeks to divide Maori against Maori. Not a single argument National has put forward to justify their plundering of our vital infrastructure has held up. Asset sales won't reduce debt. Asset sales won't boost the economy. Treasury conceded that savings on interest payments from lower debt will be less than the foregone profits. Every analyses agrees that selling our strategic, income generating infrastructure will leave NZ worse off. Considering the market conditions, the water rights issue and the looming referendum, pushing ahead with this plan is ideological pigheadedness at best, economic treason at worst. Only the willfully ignorant can't see that pushing ahead with this will cost National the next few elections. Don't be surprised if Key ultimately backs down, calls off the asset sales, and attempts to pin the blame on Maori in a racist dog-whistle to National's core constituency. Then steps down before the end of his term, only to be gifted the knighthood he so desperately craves by his successor.

5/09/2012 4:57:57 p.m.

Martin wrote:

Why attend a whining session. The sale has already been halted by the chosen few and delayed until next year.I guess STINKS wants to pay endless taxes to the gravy train.

5/09/2012 1:24:43 p.m.

stinks wrote:

John Key is at it again. How will he resolve issues with maori if he refuses to attend major huis? He is an embarrassment. This whole issue is heading for a massive show-down, thanks to John Key, and the whole of NZ will end up paying for it.