Maori Council approved to appeal water rights decision

The New Zealand Maori Council has been given leave to appeal to the Supreme Court over water rights.

At a three-day High Court hearing in Wellington last month, the council unsuccessfully argued that the Government should establish the extent of Maori ownership rights over freshwater and geothermal resources and make redress for them before the partial sale of Mighty River and other power companies under the Government's ``mixed ownership model''.

A Supreme Court judgment released this morning gave the council the right to appeal over whether the High Court was right to dismiss the application for review.

The respondents - the attorney-general, finance minister and state-owned enterprises minister have until 1pm on Friday to file their case.

The appellants, the council and the Waikato River and Dams Claim Trust have until January 18 to file their submissions.