February 22, 2013
David and Goliath struggle for riverbed
Pouakani claimants believe the Supreme Court may have to show enormous courage to rule in their favour over ownership of part of the Waikato River.
The Pouakani Trust was in the court this week following up last year's successful action, when the court ruled the Crown did not automatically own the stretch of the river near Mangakino because rapids meant it was not navigable.
Trust Chair Tamati Cairns says with three of Mighty River Power's dams sitting on the riverbed, it has become a David and Goliath struggle.
This week's case was about whether the Crown bought the riverbed when it bought the adjoining lands.
“If Pouakani weren’t clearly informed that the crowns were buying the riverbed as well, the presumably Pouakani still own the riverbed. If that’s the case, than there are still issues to be discussing in terms of the dams sitting on lands that still potentially belong to the Pouakani people”. Mr Cairns says.
Tamati Cairns says the fact Mighty River Power has just declared a $75 million half year profit shows how high the stakes are.
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