Native flora and fauna must belong to us all

National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee says Labour must move quickly to clear up any confusion surrounding the Maori claim to property rights over New Zealand’s native flora and fauna.

“Labour must make its position on the Wai 262 claim clear. Silence will only fan the flames of expectation.”

Mr Brownlee is commenting on a warning letter sent to Crown Research Institutes by Treaty claimants suggesting they own indigenous plants and animals and are entitled to a cut of any research and development profits.

“Labour mustn’t let this continue. It has the potential to seriously affect science, technology and innovation in New Zealand.

“The Government should make it clear that the intellectual property rights that result from taxpayer-funded research belongs to the institute on behalf of all New Zealanders.

“The plants and animals of this country must belong to all of us,” says Mr Brownlee.

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