September 25, 2012
No rift in partnership over state asset sales
The new chair of the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board is denying any rift with Kingitanga over state asset sales.
The Government is consulting on the Waitangi Tribunal’s suggestion that special shares in the state owned power companies could accommodate any Maori interests that would be affected by a partial privatisation.
Waikato-Tainui boycotted the first consultation hui last week, but Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa and Whanganui turned out for the hui in their rohe.
John Bishara says that’s a reflection of the desire by Tuwharetoa to get their claims settled, and does not indicate the ancient partnership is in trouble.
“We are united in the stance that we are against the mixed ownership model, and we’re against selling assets, and at the hui at Taupo last week everyone reiterated that back to Deputy Prime Minister Bill English,” Mr Bishara says.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will be in Te Kuiti today to hear from Ngati Raukawa and Maniapoto about their views on the shares plus model.