By Political Editor Duncan Garner
The fight over our waterways does not come cheap, with the Maori Council saying its legal bills over water rights could run into the millions.
That is the equivalent of a high-profile murder trial, and the scrapping at the Waitangi Tribunal is all being funded by the taxpayer.
Prime Minister John Key says it is a legitimate use of taxpayer money.
“Yes, I think it’s appropriate that the Government pays its fair share to allow justice to be held and aired in the public domain,” he says.
So far that fair share has covered $225,704.62 claimed by the Maori Council in legal aid. The Crown has spent a total of $489,471.22 so far.
Maori Council lawyer Felix Geiringer says it will only get more expensive once the dispute heads to court.
“Wait till we get to court, you have seen nothing yet,” says Mr Geiringer.
But Mr Key says this is how the system works.
“All we try and do is provide a fair system that's fair. We would get accused of bad faith if we didn't allow and provide financial support for Maori to test their rights,” says Mr Key.
But Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei says the costs are proof that the Government is wasting millions selling the assets that two-thirds of New Zealanders still do not want sold.
This is probably a drop in the water compared to what is to come.
The Maori Council has made it clear it will head to the highest court in the land if it has to in a bid to stop asset sales, meaning taxpayers are likely to fork out millions of dollars more to lawyers before the fight is settled.
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