February 27, 2013
Unanimous decison by the Supreme Court
A lawyer for the New Zealand Māori Council believes yesterday’s Supreme Court decision on water is a step forward, even if it failed to stop the privatisation of state owned power companies.
The court found unanimously that selling shares in Mighty River Power won’t stop the Crown compensating Māori if they win water claims.
But Donna Hall says it found that the Crown was still required to act in a manner that is consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi when dealing with or disposing of the new mixed ownership model companies.
That overturned the finding of High Court Justice Ronald Young that the treaty was not relevant.
She says the Supreme Court was swayed by extensive promises made by the Crown during the course of the proceedings that it would take real steps to address the various Māori water claims.
The council wants to get back in front of the Waitangi Tribunal so it can present not only water claims but also claims to geothermal resources.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd