Water rights debate will cost millions

19/09/2012 12:12:53 p.m.

tosh wrote:

can anyone tell me what use of water has ever been denied to maori to use as a "treasure" as they say,and why now suddenly does their "treasure"have a cash value.water is a gift from GOD are maori trying to replace him?

16/09/2012 3:47:42 p.m.

Brian Morris wrote:

Let's not be naive. Selling power stations and coal mines is only the beginning of a slippery slope. Look at Greece. They have 39 airports, 850 sea ports, state railways and energy companies up for sale and they're getting NO BIDS. Potential buyers are holding back, waiting for the price to drop. Which it will as Greece gets more desperate. Italy is offering its offshore islands, castles, beaches (yes whole strips of their coastline), lighthouses and art treasures for sale. So far, no buyers. Same reason. Sorry, George Clooney bought Villa L'Oleandra on Lake Como as his holiday bach. Spain is selling its state lottery. Lotteries always make money, so why sell it? The port of Dublin is for sale. That would give China a base in Europe. Britain is selling its air traffic control system. Will Richard Branson buy that, and give Virgin Airlines priority landings and takeoffs? When NZ sells a 49% portion, the rest will follow eventually. This is like saying "I'm only 49% pregnant and I'm stopping right there." No, you can't stop once you start the journey. Soon we won't just have Maori water rights and claims, we will have foreign owners' rights and claims on everything we sell a portion of. Beijing will be tough bargainers because they've got the cash and a 1000 year business plan. We think in 3 year cycles. How pathetic. Time to re-think BEFORE the horse has bolted.

27/08/2012 9:00:47 a.m.

Mal wrote:

@MOERA. It wont even cover consultancy and court costs.