MANA Leader Hone Harawira

Wednesday 21 March 2012

MANA Supports South Taranaki Iwi In Their Opposition To Local Water Privatisation

“MANA is right behind South Taranaki iwi opposing privatisation of their local water supply” said MANA Leader Hone Harawira. "If they say occupy, we’re there.”

The first reading of the South Taranaki District Council (Cold Creek Water Supply) Bill is being heard in Parliament this afternoon which will enable the Council to transfer the Cold Creek Water Supply Scheme to a limited company. The four iwi of South Taranaki – Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine, and Ngā Rauru – are strongly opposed to the transfer which they describe as a move to privatise water.

“Two of the iwi – Taranaki and Ngā Ruahine – are in the middle of settlement negotiations and have been told by the Crown there are no assets to return to them" said Harawira. "But here’s the Council flogging off water rights, infrastructure and the land the treatment plants are on, all of which could be transferred to iwi as part of their settlements”.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 6 October 2011 and is sponsored by local MP Chester Borrows on behalf of the South Taranaki District Council.

“The Council refused to talk to iwi about this for years even when they were putting this Bill together and Chester only met with iwi a few weeks ago to tell them he’s pushing the bill through regardless of their claims."

"What a crock – people’s heads should roll over such shitty (and unlawful) treatment, starting with Chester's ..."

“The bill should be withdrawn” concluded Mr Harawira.

ENDS

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