October 09, 2018
Sykes, Samuels "compliant" on water body
National's Māori spokesperson Nuk Korako is dismissing the government's water as shallow and lacking in detail and its new Māori Freshwater Forum as compliant.
Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damian O'Connor yesterday released the government's key objectives for improving water quality over the next two years, including signalling changes to the rules and laws around water use.
Mr Korako says National had been making progress, including working with the Iwi Leaders Group to resolve Māori rights and interests to fresh water.
"Parker actually scrapped that and he has established his own working group with what I believe are hand-picked, complaint Māori to work through these important issues. I don't see kotahitanga operating here whatsoever," he says.
Kahui Wai Māori is chaired by Māori agribusiness leader Kingi Smiler and includes Federation of Māori Authorities chair Traci Houpapa, prominent conservationists, scientists and lawyers including Jacinta Ruru and Annette Sykes, and former cabinet minister Dover Samuels.
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