September 11, 2012
Rankin revels in wind claim backlash
Ngapuhi maverick David Rankin says he’s glad to have lit a fire by claiming the wind.
Mr Rankin argues that if partially privatised power companies have wind farms in their generating portfolio, they should pay a fee to the descendants of Tawhirimatea.
The claim has been widely condemned by the prime minister on down.
“Every New Zealander hates me but you know what, when you’re a Ngapuhi, that’s what it’s all about. It’s about opening up people’s minds to start talking about real issues. We are looking at the Government talking about selling off 49 percent of our power companies. While it’s in the hands of the government and benefiting all of us, ka pai. But as soon as it goes off to foreign investors, then they are benefiting from what is ours,” Mr Rankin says.