MEDIA STATEMENT

Wednesday 21 March 2007

For Immediate Release

KFA Supports FOMA in Waitangi Tribunal Claim for Carbon Credits

The Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA) says it supports the planned Waitangi Tribunal challenge by the Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA) for ownership of carbon credits associated with Maori-owned forests.

“It would appear that the Federation of Maori Authorities has a very good chance of success,” KFA spokesman Roger Dickie said today. “The Treaty of Waitangi guarantees Maori the full, exclusive and undisturbed possession of their forests. You don’t have to be a legal scholar to know that ‘full, exclusive and undisturbed possession’ means the Government can’t claim it owns the value of the carbon in those forests.”

Mr Dickie said it also appeared to be a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi for the Government to be planning to tax Maori forest owners who want to use their land for other purposes.

“We will be watching this with great interest. All forest owners have an interest in seeing FOMA succeed because that would set the precedent that the Crown can’t confiscate carbon credits from their rightful owners, whether Maori, Pakeha or anyone else.”

ENDS

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