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February 04, 2013
Ngāi Tahu affidavit turns Morgan off iwi forum
Waatea Team
Posted On February 4, 2013
Kingitanga spokesperson Tukoroirangi Morgan says the Iwi Leaders Forum has become too elitist and too close to the Crown.
The former Tainui chair is angry that the South Island Ngāi Tahu tribe filed an affidavit opposing the attempt by Waikato River tribes and the New Zealand Māori Council to delay the sale of shares in Mighty River power until the Crown proves it will continue to have the capacity to settle claims to water.
The affidavit was brought up by the Crown at last week's Supreme Court hearing.
Mr Morgan says the idea of the forum was that iwi would stand together to protect their rights.
“This is now a question of mana. Not about money. Our mana over natural resource and when you get iwi lining up with the crown to the extent that they provide signed affidavits, affidavits that are used in the court of law against us and against other iwi. They are in the business trying to protect our rights and interests. I’ve got a major problem”.
Tukoroirangi Morgan says he's staying away from the Iwi Leaders Forum in Waitangi this week, and is instead contributing to a major hui in Ngaruawahia looking at the future of Tainui.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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