September 12, 2012
Maori Council hoping for consensus
The New Zealand Maori Council hopes a clear consensus will emerge from today’s national water hui.
Representatives from iwi and Maori organisations throughout the country have been welcomed on to Turangawaewae Marae.
The speakers will include council co-chair Sir Taihakurei Durie, who will spell out the implications of the Waitangi Tribunal’s findings on the water claim.
The claim has led to a delay in the Government sale of shares in state-owned power companies.
The other co-chair, Maanu Paul, says it’s a critical hui, which should allow the Maori King to summarise the current feeling of all Maori groups about the issue.
He says Maori need to decide for themselves what should happen in negotiations not just for water but also for taonga like oil, gas, geothermal, minerals and spectrum.