August 29, 2014
Iwi leaders push for water stake
The Government has told iwi leaders it is ready to start talking about rights and interests in water.
The New Zealand Maori Council is waiting on the Waitangi Tribunal to start a second round of hearings on its water claims at which those issues will be discussed.
National has constently refused to engage with the council, preferring to deal with the Iwi Leaders Forum.
Forum technical working group member Willie Te Aho says this week's iwi leader's hui at Tuahiwi near Christchurch has put a team together to progress issues around freshwater, including protection of water quality and ensuring iwi get a share of any economic allocation.
He says that fits with National's plans.
"We received a letter from the deputy prime minister basically saying if they're the next government they want to hit the ground running to talk about rights and interests starting at Waitangi next year in February," he says.
Willie Te Aho says iwi leaders have also appointed a team to sit down with ministers to discuss the future direction of Whanau Ora.
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