Maori Party optimistic of water rights resolution

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'This affects the whole country'

3News NZ

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples

By Tom McRae

The Prime Minister says he's hopeful the sale of Mighty River Power will still go ahead this year.

That's despite the Waitangi Tribunal finding the Government would be in breach of the Treaty if it proceeded with its asset sales programme before issues around water rights are resolved.

This morning the Government met with the Maori Party to discuss the Waitangi Tribunal's findings.

While the Maori Party has kept quiet so far, one of its former MPs Hone Harawira has been outspoken, saying there needs to be a delay in the sale of assets.

“I don't think this is a case of standing up against Maori on water ownership, this is a case of the Government trying to ram through an asset sales programme that most New Zealanders oppose,” he says.

Mr Harawira wants Maori to come together to make a unified decision, because he believes Mr Key will ignore the tribunal’s recommendations.

“I think he's going to cut a couple of deals in the next few weeks to give him just enough authority to say ‘we've got an agreement here’ and rush ahead with it.”

The Maori Party is optimistic about reaching a solution on who owns the water.

“Forget about the deal breaker, this is a long process, this is a really important issue that affects the whole country,” says co-leader Pita Sharples.

The negotiations have begun, but it could be months before a deal is reached.

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Comments

4/09/2012 12:44:45 p.m.

boom wrote:

hahahaha TDOG no treaty over there!Maori have like a $40 billion asset base! they control/own half of the fisheries as well as the largest commerical forest in the southern hemisphere, whanau ora as well as special privilege in health and education and hunting fishing gathering rights. But thats not enough is it TDOG! You are in for a big shock in aussie TDOG but it will be a good lesson for you to see how the big bad wide world works.

31/08/2012 11:12:12 a.m.

TDog wrote:

Don't worry Gosh I will be; see there are opportunities for everyone over there, unlike here.

30/08/2012 7:09:44 p.m.

Gosh wrote:

Hey good luk tdog, btw you will actually have to work for money in oz. :)

30/08/2012 12:48:39 p.m.

TDog wrote:

More racist drivel from over priviledged whites. No wonder Maori are leaving this country in droves. Ask the next maori passing through the airport terminal why they are going and they will reply it's because they are sick of being treated as second class citizens in their own country. They are tired od being labled terrorists, bludgers, criminals and every name under the sun by these evil white activists like Michael Laws and Don Brash and co. I agree with Moera all these white activists have to do is keep repeating the same old tired argument over and over again as it has that affect. But Maori are done fighting and arguing. It's getting us nowhere. Time to move to Aus where they are treated far better than the racist s***hole New Zealand. They can leave the over-privileged whites to wallow in the own mess they created. Sell off our water John Key see if I give a damn.

30/08/2012 9:14:22 a.m.

atrout wrote:

Very close to it Moera. If you say something wrong but with some authority, often enough it either starts to sound very stupid or some people with start to believe it. Your choice Moera.

30/08/2012 8:03:20 a.m.

Moera wrote:

I'm glad we understand each DAN. It is not the simple statement of facts that ushers in freedom; it is the constant repetition of them that has this liberating effect. Tolerance is the result not of enlightenment, but of boredom. Quentin Crisp

30/08/2012 7:24:52 a.m.

ed wrote:

i agree helen

29/08/2012 11:06:50 p.m.

nick wrote:

top words helen!

29/08/2012 4:37:49 p.m.

Dan wrote:

Well said HELLEN, couldnt agree with you more, funny how people like MOERA start repeating themselves like a broken record when they get backed into a corner by the overwhelming truth.

29/08/2012 9:07:10 a.m.

Moera wrote:

@ HELLEN...It's quite evident that you are very intimidated by Maori and what Maori represent as a whole. Two words: Bigots and Glasshouses. I say AGAIN...I INVITE you to watch the John Tamahere 'The Think Tank'. As you have stated you will listen to a 'Radical and Biased' Maori air show, yet you refuse to avail yourself to the 'offerred' access of information regarding Maori and so choose to base your opinions on assumptions. It's easier for you to choose this path because to follow ALL info avenues you would have to widen your perspective. Yes, we do hog news and politics because that is what NZ govt and previous govts have entitled Maori to do. This is a priviledge, empowered by British law to allow Maori to exercise 'freedom of speech'. A priviledge shared by ALL NZers, including yourself I might add, which is WHY we are both here posting our opinions. As with ALL languages, it's a personal choice to learn a language, Te Reo Maori is no different. As you have stated: QUOTE: 'I won't even watch your maori radical programme'. That's ok, it's your choice. A choice you are allowed to make, just like its a choice to learn a language. Te Reo Maori was legalise as a language in 1987. Hellen if you feel that you have been unfairly categorized as a 'second classed' citizen in a country that is governed by Pakeha law and ethics, then as a Maori, I apologise on behalf of Pakeha for your hardships. There are Maori who can sympathise with you because this is what Maori have been a a part of since Pakeha landed on NZ shores. If what you say about Maori is true, then provide the information to back up your comments. A person who is passionate about their ideology, such as yourself, wouldnt'hesitate....By the way, I'm still waiting for the info I requested from you.