Government lacks leadership on new Taupo claim

Gerry Brownlee MP National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

07 October 2004

National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee is calling on the Government to show some leadership over the Ngati Tuwharetoa plan to charge for 'air space' over Lake Taupo.

"The Government should simply move to clear up any uncertainty if it exists, rather than fan the flames of expectation with further talks.

"It's precisely this sort of leadership vacuum that got us into the current mess over the foreshore and seabed," says Mr Brownlee.

"It's patently absurd for Chris Carter to now suggest that a previous Government should have explicitly ruled out a claim for 'air space'.

"That the Labour Government is even entertaining such discussions will outrage most New Zealanders.

"National is the only party that can be trusted to bring some common sense back to the treatment of Treaty issues," says Mr Brownlee.

ENDS

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