By Jesse Peach
A who's who of Maoridom have demanded that the Government halt asset sales until it negotiates a deal recognising Maori rights and interests over water.
This evening the national hui resolved that Maori should stop all individual negotiations with the Government and work together.
King Tuheitia had a blunt message to his people.
“We have always owned the water.”
He called for Maoridom to come together and they did, with more than 1000 people in attendance.
“We must not allow the government to divide and rule us again,” the king says.
They gathered to discuss one issue, and were looking for one thing - unity.
“The A-list of Maoridom were here, the whos-who of Maoridom were here,” the king’s spokesman Tukoroirangi Morgan says. “They were part of a decision and they are bound by the decision.”
Prime Minister John Key was in Auckland today and has shunned the call for a national hui with Maori over water.
“Well the Government’s made its position very clear we don’t think there will be a need for a national settlement. We don’t think there’s a need for a national hui.”
But even his friends in the Maori party says Mr Key must change that stance.
“Being in the Maori Party is like being the meat in the sandwich only one bread is brown and the other one is white and the white hasn’t changed its attitude since 200 years ago,” Maori co-leader Pita Sharples says.
Those gathered want asset sales halted, while a pan-Maori group works with the Government to clarify Maori ownership rights.
“We will take as long as we can to resolve this outstanding grievance,” Mr Morgan says.
So this could be another major blow to the Government's asset sales programme because the resolution looks like it might hold up the Government's timeline even more.
3 News