February 04, 2014
Mining hikoi touches nerve
Marchers arriving at Waitangi this morning to protest deep sea oil exploration will get support from the New Zealand Maori Council.
The council met in Waitangi yesterday to discuss its ongoing battles over water, spectrum, changes to the Maori Community Development Act and other issues.
Co-chair Maanu Paul says there is widespread concern by hapu around the country at the Government’s push to drill and mine.
He says the council exists to ensure the crown can’t just trample over Maori rights, including those to natural resources.
"The crown can no longer call the shots, in terms of the sovereignty of the resources of this country, becasue they would fly in the face of international law and the indigenous peoples rights, declaration which they signed two years ago " says Mr Paul
The anti-drilling hikoi which set off from Cape Reinga five days ago is expected to arrive at Waitangi mid-morning, about the time Prime Minister John Key and Government ministers are due to be welcomed on to the lower marae.
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