February 21, 2013
No spectrum for Māori
A Māori spectrum claimant says the Government's decision to deny 700 megahertz spectrum to Māori is the worst possible outcome.
Communications Minister Amy Adams says she rejects the idea that spectrum is a tāonga, so there will be none set aside for Māori when spectrum is freed up by the shift to digital television is auctioned later this year.
She says it's a once in a generation opportunity that will generate economic benefits of more than $2.4 billion over the next 20 years as operators develop high speed fourth generation mobile networks.
Graeme Everton says it's the first time in more than 12 years that claimants have come up empty.
“Even though we haven’t had the best outcome, we always come up with the spectrum. Even though there have been some poor options for that spectrum. This is actually the first time that we have been rejected in spectrum. So no it’s not what we expected, it’s certainly wasn’t the penal that the original position taken as a claimant and the crown and that has totally changed”. Mr Everton says.
Graeme Everton says claimants put their Waitangi Tribunal claim on hold in 2009 to enter a process of dialogue with the government, and they will now have to go back to court.
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