December 19, 2012
Water case bright spot in year
Green’s co-leader Metiria Turei is counting the resurgence of the New Zealand Māori Council as a highlight of the year.
The Council and Waikato River tribes will be in the Supreme Court at the end of January seeking to stop the sale of shares in state power companies until Māori rights to water are accounted for.
Ms Turei says the delay to the Government’s process has been valuable because it allows more people to sign the petition opposing asset sales.
"Even though the unity we hoped would come out of the hui at Turangawaewae didn't really arise the council has taken on a real position of strength and they are fighting the good fight and I think overall they are winning. Because of them the state assets haven’t been sold," she says.
Metiria Turei says the case shows how the Treaty of Waitangi can be used to benefit Māori and Pakeha alike and the good of the whole country.
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