PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

FROM: THE MAORI SPECTRUM COALITION

FRIDAY 22 Nov 9.00am

The Māori Spectrum Coalition which includes the Wai 2224 claimants to 4G spectrum, says the Crown has shown major disregard for the Treaty of Waitangi and its Māori partner over the auction of new 4G radio frequencies. The last unsold block of 4G spectrum will be allocated in a follow-up auction next Tuesday 26 November. The Coalition is made up of groups including the New Zealand Maori Council, Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i Te Reo, Te Huarahi Tika Trust, the Maori Internet Society,and the Everton whānau (claimants in the 3G cases).

Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru, spokesperson for the Coalition said today that “The Crown should abandon the supplementary auction and award the remaining 2x5Mhz frequencies to Māori, in line with Waitangi Tribunal recommendations on spectrum. Māori still seek a fair and equitable share of spectrum from the Crown and recognition of their Treaty rights.”

“The Crown has marched over the top of those Waitangi Tribunal  findings and sold the resource to those with the deepest pockets. The Treaty mechanisms are operating at great expense to Maori in terms of time and costs, but are defective. Their major rulings in favour of Maori are not being carried through into the real world.” Dr Waikerepuru said.

Dr Waikerepuru said future generations of Māori will take on the fight in relation to spectrum and participation in telecommunications.

Ends