Listen Now: 
The owners of Northland’s Lake Omapere say allowing access to the lake’s water supply won’t be allowed to compromised Maori values and rights.
Rachel Witana from the Ōmāpere Taraire E & Rangihamama X3A Ahu Whenua Trust says the hapū has the same objective as the government, to ensure people have clean drinking water.
They also intend to uphold its kaitiaki responsibilities, in line with the principles outlined in the Wai 262 flora and fauna claim.
This includes lifting any tapu the lake and land hold and considering the welfare of any taonga species.
She says the treaty requires government agencies and hapū to operate as an equal partnership, and to some extent that is happening with the water crisis.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
