Maori Party considers options

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 5:06a.m.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia speaks to the media

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia speaks to the media

The Maori Party is considering ministerial advice on a problem with asset sales that threatens its support agreement with the government

Co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia met Finance Minister Bill English late Tuesday after raising serious concerns about the way the government is handling the partial sale of four state-owned power companies.

The companies are going to be removed from the State-owned Enterprises Act and will not be covered by the treaty clauses in the legislation.

The Maori Party says that amounts to the government saying the Treaty of Waitangi does not exist, which could mean the end of its confidence and supply agreement.

Key, Maori Party square off over asset sales  

Prime Minister John Key says the issues can be worked through and he's confident there will not be any break with the party.

He says the companies can't be covered by treaty clauses as they stand because 49 percent of them will be sold.

"The Crown can be committed to treaty obligations but private shareholders can't," he said yesterday.

"There's a consultation process to go through and I'm sure we'll find an elegant way through this."

The treaty clauses are largely symbolic and commit the government to acting "in a manner consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi".

Mr Key says they've been around for 26 years and haven't caused any problems.

Mr English explained how a modified form of the clauses could be put into effect for the companies.

NZN

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Comments

02 Feb 2012 05:55p.m.

Paora wrote:

Jan. I suggest you check your facts. The Treaty is used by Maori to enhance personal perceptions of self importance, but completely meaningless in reality, particularly to the other 85% of NZ. Simply put, the Treaty signed by 98% of Maori simply ceded sovereignty of everything to the crown in return for equality under British law. All the more recently added hocus pocus about so called 'partnership' is a load of bullocks that was never part of the original Treaty and although implied by some Maori to mean we must be consulted about everything, in reality that aspect is total nonsense. Having ceded sovereignty under the treaty, Maori have equal rights with all other NZ citizens. Equal means 'same rights', not special or extra rights. And, the sooner everyone accepts that the better. Kaore nga tikanga e pai ake i te korero porewarewa. .

02 Feb 2012 08:55a.m.

jan.. wrote:

Without the Treaty and its authorization this country will always belongs to the Tangata Whenuas, and why is the Government selling off assets without other parties authorizations..The Government cannot do what he bloody well want, cut the pullshits and be true to the people of New Zealand..

01 Feb 2012 08:47p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

What a shame National didn't get more votes.There still are some kiwis who want to keep their assets and self-respect.Given half a chance anti National will put New Zealand on Trade Me.

01 Feb 2012 05:33p.m.

ian wrote:

White middle class - not often - but i support you the Maori Party all the way.Go Tariana,we are all Kiwis on this.

01 Feb 2012 10:43a.m.

Judy wrote:

It has always been obvious that once the National Party got back in, the screws would be tightened on all the things that those Kiwis, old enough to remember the days before Rogernomics, value most. Unfortunately, the National Party is the prisoner of it's own ideology, which derives from the wishes of the top 1% here and the top .025% world wide. John Key, with his job background, has always been the servant of those masters and this continues. Against all the evidence, particularly that from the US, I'm sure that he really believes his right-win global economy, money-comes-first ideas are the best ones. I voted for Tariana and the Maori Party in the expectation that she could handle the essential juggling better than almost anyone. Politics is the art of compromise. It's better to have a voice on the inside than to shout from the outside. Very few people understand this. New Zealand was silly enough to give National the strength that it has. Let's hope that Tariana can introduce some sanity into the equation. Otherwise we're going to become a Banana Republic. At least John Key tries to take account of what she tells him.

01 Feb 2012 07:58a.m.

atrout wrote:

Well, that's rather neat isn't it?!! Bill English tells Tariana that there's no problem and there never has been a problem. Bill will write something vague and compromising- Tari and Peta will sign up and life will go on as before. The Maori Party is stay in a position of nominal power and not slide into oblivion just yet. Also this gives Hone a chance to hurl a brick or two at the Unholy Alliance of the Nats and the Maori Party. Everyone's happy and nothing's changed!