Te Arawa to pressure Govt over asset sales | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Te Arawa and Mataatua will pressure the Government to include Treaty of Waitangi rights in legislation for the partial sale of state-owned assets in which many iwi are keen to invest.

Maori politicians have asked iwi to object strongly to suggestions Treaty rights won't be included in the legislation, required to allow the Crown to sell up to 49 per cent of the shares in Mighty River Power, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy and Solid Energy.

Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples have threatened to walk out on their deal with National if a clause protecting Treaty of Waitangi principles isn't extended to the new legislation to cover partial state asset sales.

The Government has released a consultation document ahead of a series of hui next week to discuss plans to sell minority stakes in the four energy companies.

The relevant clause that has caused concern is section nine of the State Owned Enterprises Act, requiring the Crown to act in a manner consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Many iwi are still in the process of formulating a response and the issue is expected to be a hot topic at an iwi leadership forum at Waitangi this weekend. Local iwi will also be well represented at a consultation hui in Rotorua next Wednesday.

Te Arawa Group Holdings chief executive Roger Pikia said he was not yet "fully appraised" about what was involved but like many iwi, Te Arawa Group Holdings had expressed interest in investing in state-owned assets.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa chief executive Jeremy Gardiner said the iwi objected to the omission of a Treaty rights clause.

"The clause in the original legislation kick-started all of the Treaty settlements we have. The Prime Minister will definitely hear about it this weekend."

Mr Gardiner said Whakatane-based Ngati Awa would be also be at the Rotorua hui.

He said investment in the assets would be particularly attractive to iwi.

Te Whanau a Apanui tribal leader Rikirangi Gage supported the Maori Party's stand and said he would be at the forum at Waitangi.

He said the issue particularly affected those iwi which are yet to settle their treaty claims.

Te Whanau a Apanui, situated at Te Kaha on the East Coast, objected to oil exploration carried out last year and were concerned about the effect the new legislation might have on mineral rights.

Dr Sharples said unless the Treaty rights clause was included in legislation to protect the interests of Maori they would be "up the lake without a paddle".

"If it is taken out or reduced to a more particular clause and not left to apply generally, then it weakens the power of that Treaty clause and it will not give us the protection required."

Chairman of Te Runanga o Ngai Te Rangi, Charlie Tawhiao, said yesterday he hadn't discussed the issue with his iwi.

"Our iwi haven't come to a view and we want to see what the actual proposal is. We want to learn what the Government intentions are and to see what we are giving away."

However, he said he would be concerned about any loss of Treaty rights.

"Those Treaty concessions have been hard fought and we give those away at our peril."

He was open to talking with the Government about the proposals and the wider ramifications, he said. He was awaiting the Government's latest discussion document, which was released late yesterday.

The discussion paper sought Maori feedback about the partial sale of state assets. The Government intends to retain Section 27 A-D of the State Owned Enterprises Act, providing for memorials to be placed on titles of land transferred to SOEs. If the Waitangi Tribunal makes a recommendation for its return to Maori ownership the land must be resumed by the Crown. In terms of section nine, Maori are offered the choice of keeping it, removing it, or including a more specific Treaty clause about the Crown's Treaty obligations.