September 02, 2013
Review seen as threat to Maori Council
Consultation starts today on a review of the Act that mandates the New Zealand Maori Council and the Maori wardens.
Officials will be at Te Paatu Marae near Kaitaia, the home marae of long serving Maori council president Sir Graham Latimer.
Mana leader Hone Harawira says the real aim of the review is to kill off an organisation that is a thorn in the side of the government.
The council has a claim before the Waitangi Tribunal which aims to quantify Maori interests in water, including that used by state owned and privatised power companies.
It is also challenging the Government on ownership and management of radio spectrum, and on oversight of the Maori wardens.
Mr Harawira says the Government would love to see the Council disestablished to stop it attacking the Crown. He’s encouraging people to go to the consultation hui being held around the country this month, so they can express their opposition to silencing the voice of the Council.
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