Don Brash MP National Party Leader

08 October 2004

Labour can't be trusted on lake claims

"The Labour Government has been caught out again telling one story to Maori and another to non-Maori," says National Party Leader Don Brash.

He is referring to reports out of Rotorua today, saying the Labour Government had included a specific 'relationship agreement' with Te Arawa regarding the airspace and water above the local lakebeds being offered to the iwi as part of a Treaty settlement.

Back in December, Te Arawa Trust Board general manager Roku Mihinui said the airspace deal was a 'unique' aspect of the Rotorua settlement offer.

"It would appear at least as recently as December, the Government was preparing to negotiate over rights to airspace and water.

"But that's not what Margaret Wilson told Parliament yesterday. She said airspace and water would be excluded from the Te Arawa deal. Today we are told there is still 'fine-tuning'.

"This double speak goes to show yet again that Labour cannot be trusted to deal honestly and transparently with Treaty claims," says Dr Brash.

ENDS

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