Tainui leadership boycotts water rights hui

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Tainui boycott water rights hui

3News NZ

Prime Minister John Key (file)

Prime Minister John Key (file)

One of the country's biggest and most powerful tribes, Tainui, has voted to boycott a hui with the Government starting later today.

The Government has organised six hui with iwi who have freshwater interests and are affected by the Government's decision to partially privatise three power companies.

But Tainui will be a no show at the hui specifically organised by the Government to talk with them directly.

The tribe's executive voted last night not to show up, meaning the iwi's leaders, hapu and the executive will not be represented at the hui. That doesn't mean though that ordinary Tainiu members cannot go along, but it is a serious snub.

Maori King spokesperson Tukuroirangi Morgan says it is "part of the approach that arose as a result of the King's hui last week".

"People are reminded that they've got to stay united, stand firm."

In response, Prime Minister John Key said Maori have "more positions than Lady Gaga's got outfits".

Tomorrow there is a meeting with Tuwharetoa in Taupo, and iwi leaders at this stage are indicating they will be showing up to meet the Crown.

Division amongst iwi could strengthen the Government's position in any court case that could result.

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Comments

18/09/2012 7:31:06 p.m.

Joe wrote:

So we're heading for a high noon shoot-out between JK and Maori. In other words, JK's little strategy of having the Maori Party "at the table" as a way of buying Maori silence is not working out any more. John Key is on a loser - deeply felt cultural values will always win over opportunism and greed.

18/09/2012 7:01:44 p.m.

pete wrote:

Go John Key and National! Tainui boycotting the hui and refusing to make an appearance will backfire on maori when it goes to court. Agree with brad, good faith works both ways.

18/09/2012 6:30:25 p.m.

Gosh wrote:

LOL Maori have "more positions than Lady Gaga's got outfits"

As if the job of PM isnt hard enuff, you gotta deal with these wack jobs.

18/09/2012 6:15:19 p.m.

Malcolm wrote:

As Michael Laws said recently when talking to a native New Zealander who wouldn't see sense on this whole debacle . . . "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it think.''
I would never be as tolerant as John Key towards these money grabbers!!!

18/09/2012 5:35:37 p.m.

crazy wrote:

In response, Prime Minister John Key said Maori have "more positions than Lady Gaga's got outfits". great way to insult maori... i dont agree with the position of the maori leaders but it was a horrible idear to begin with so keep it up.

18/09/2012 5:20:40 p.m.

dan wrote:

@brad. That's exactly the point. It's pointless for Tainui or any Maori group to engage with the government now, especially when they have made their position known. I wouldn't attend a hui already knowing what the outcome is no matter how much 'consultation' there will be. Both 'goodfaith' and 'partnership' are failures on the govts part, not Maori.

18/09/2012 2:59:20 p.m.

Guy wrote:

Is pretty obvious how Key feels about this ,Take your Ipod out JK or at least turn down your lady gaga

18/09/2012 2:36:47 p.m.

Brad wrote:

Great news for the Government. Good faith goes both ways. If Tainui dont want to engage with the Government, it will make the Govt's victory in the inevitable court case all the more secure.

18/09/2012 2:26:05 p.m.

Peter wrote:

Stay strong brothers!! Against this Keys driven asset sales! never worked in the past never work in the future

18/09/2012 1:00:12 p.m.

j wrote:

Iwi should stand firm against Key.