October 23, 2012
Maori Council gets date for water fight
The Government blinked, and Maori claimants now have another month to prepare their case for water.
Cabinet yesterday agreed to delay taking Mighty River Power out of the State Owned Enterprise Act, after High Court Judge Ronald Young indicated the New Zealand Maori Council’s case would be prejudiced if it was heard after the order-in-council took effect.
At a brief hearing yesterday morning, the judge scheduled a four day hearing starting 26th of November for the Maori Council’s case to be heard.
The Government needs to bring the power company into its new Mixed Ownership Model legislation before it can sell off 49 percent of the shares.
Maori Council spokeswoman Rahui Katene says the council’s preference was to sit down and talk with the Crown.