June 25, 2014
Greens concerned at log salvage
The Green Party is unhappy at the urgent legislation being pushed through this week to allow recovery of wind-blown logs on the West Coast.
The West Coast Windblown Timber (Conservation Lands) Bill widens the current legislation that allows only Maori to take native logs off conservation lands for customary use.
Greens co-leader Metiria says it’s also likely to have an impact on owners of the Silna or South Island Landless Natives forests.
"Because that legislation is still so new and because we are going to have to debate it very quickly. Very unclear what the full consequences of this legislation will be on Maori who have an interest in that land and those forests. The government is moving really quickly for a political purpose not because it's good policy
An estimated 20,000 hectares of forest was blown over by Cyclone Ita in April.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH METIRIA TUREI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTk0Njc=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd