Te Ururoa Flavell
MP for Waiariki

February 1, 2012

Flavell warns: Water must be included in consultation on Section 9

Te Ururoa Flavell, MP for Waiariki has today raised concerns that water issues have been deemed by government outside the scope of the consultation document for Maori on the partial sale of SOE’s released today.

“The partial privatisation of power companies which is being rushed through by the government will have huge implications on water rights, and it is important that they be taken into consideration as part of the consultation.”

“There are obviously huge issues when you connect the use of our natural resources, the Treaty and partial sale of assets, and it is only fair that those tangata whenua who wish to put that kaupapa on the table should get to do so.”

“As tangata whenua we have a relationship with our waterways, and Section 9 outlines principles for how the Crown can work in good faith with Maori on the whole spectrum of what we consider to be taonga.”

“The fact that we are partially privatising state enterprises that use our natural resources such as water and geothermal energy for their core business presents a very real issue that must be discussed.”

“As an example, te mauri o te awa (the life force of rivers), could be affected by minimum water flows, which some power companies have a vested interest in controlling.”

“Tangata whenua know best how to manage the resources within their rohe. We know every waterway and piece of land, and we are bound to it through our identity as Maori, hapu, iwi, whanau.”

“We have rights here, we have whakapapa, and ties to our waterways and resources. We will be putting these issues on the table.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media