Protests over asset sales continue

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Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:40p.m.

Protestors outside the consultation hui

Protestors outside the consultation hui

Protesters have gathered outside the consultation hui with iwi on asset sales in Rotorua, in an attempt to stop the Government from removing a treaty clause from the State Owned Enterprises Act.

A crowd of around 80 marched towards the meeting, and some shouted at Deputy Prime Minister Bill English as he arrived.

Removing Section 9 from the Act would mean iwi land could be up for sale, which has caused anger among leaders from Te Arawa and MataaTua.

The legislation has also caused friction in Parliament – New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told Firstline this morning that asset sales will make New Zealanders “servants and serfs” to overseas investors.

Mr Peters also says the Maori Party is “not doing anything at all” to stop asset sales, and have not raised concerns with National.

“Mr Key hasn’t got a majority for [asset sales], despite whatever he might say,” Mr Peters said.

John Key hasn't ruled out re-writing the legislation to keep Section 9.

Watch the video for footage of today’s protests

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Comments

13 Feb 2012 10:54a.m.

Carlos wrote:

Why are there protests ? It was decided in the Election.

09 Feb 2012 09:53a.m.

andrew wrote:

when they ask you to vote for them thats one person,an when that person that you voted for win's,he's not the same person that came knocking at your doors for votes,he dont care anymore he's out for what he think's is right.i think that John Campbell should be our leader atlest he dosnt hide the truth an he will tell us what the goverment's put us in,so john campbell run for goverment cuz your the man we need

09 Feb 2012 06:03a.m.

Homer wrote:

@Quickanswers, you couldn't be closer to the truth. In fact it does not matter who you vote for as the agenda has already been set, this we cannot change.

08 Feb 2012 10:01p.m.

Fellowes wrote:

The Treaty of Waitangi clause is important, but the bigger issue is the sale of the land itself! Corporations are largely buying this land so that ordinary individuals will not be able to compete. People don't realise the importance of the situation and Key is a traitor to his own people. Polling showed that 97% of New Zealanders were against the sale of the Crafar Farms to the Chinese, but that did not stop him. What a depressing scenario.

08 Feb 2012 09:24p.m.

QuickAnswers wrote:

@Jer, lots of people did vote, whose to say they were not rigged? The Natibour/Labinal seat that was in contention and recounted had about 300 suspicious votes, whose to say that didn't conveniently happen in each electorate? I personally voted as best I could to force a stalemate Government to avoid Natibours asset sale debt accumulation or Labinals increased spending debt accumulation. There is no mandate, there is practically no Government! Yet you and people like you think this is okay? Feels like a scene from Idiocracy.

08 Feb 2012 01:45p.m.

Jer wrote:

It's too late now. You had your chance to vote against asset sales at the general elections. You should have acted while you had the chance. The way I see it, we got the lesser of two evils.