February 09, 2023
Stay staunch on three waters Morgan tells PM
Waikato Tainui executive chair Tukoroirangi Morgan says the Government shouldn’t won’t back down on three waters reform.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced cabinet would take more time to consider possible changes.
Mr Morgan says he made it clear to the Prime Minister during last week’s Iwi Chairs Forum at Waitangi that reforms to water infrastructure were absolutely necessary – as the Auckland floods demonstrate.
He says Māori participation at the table is crucial, and the Government shouldn’t let itself get spooked by National and ACT’s fearmongering attacks on co-governance.
“Every time Māori seem to climb to an influential position, political parties will use it and weaponise it against us. This is their way of saying ‘you’re becoming far too infleuntial, far too powerful, and Māori, you shouldn’t be where this Government wants you to be,’ which is true partnership based on what the treaty promised us,” Mr Morgan says.
The Waikato River Authority which he has been a member of is an example of how co-governance can drive better outcomes.