PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND MAORI COUNCIL

Maori Council Calls For Unified Voice

New Zealand Maori Council Co-chair Sir Edward Durie has today called for all Maori to come together in a unified voice at the national hui hosted by Maori King Tuheitia at Turangawaewae.

“Since the Government signalled its intention to sell shares in the state owned power generating companies, it has become clear that that there needs to be a unified and planned approach to protect the water ownership rights of hapu and Iwi” says Sir Edward.

“That is why we have come to Turangawaewae to listen, to talk, to help find a path forward together.”

“We are proposing that the constitutional framework as to proprietary rights and interests is settled first before the sell down of any shares, and before hapu and Iwi are asked to enter negotiations with Government.”

“Water, as acknowledged by the Waitangi Tribunal, has been an ongoing issue for decades, but it has only been the share sale process that has brought it to a head; the issue is larger than management, the issue is about residual proprietary interests. Getting the framework right is important as we have a responsibility for these waterways to future generations. We also have a responsibility to speak as one unified voice.”

“Now that the Government has pressed the ‘pause’ button, we must take this opportunity to come together, to work alongside each other, and try our best to convince the Government that a national principled based approach is for the benefit of all Maori and all New Zealand.”

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