FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The decision by the Government to delay the sale of Mighty River Power vindicates the case that was taken by New Zealand Maori Council.

This is not just a great result for New Zealand Maori Council or Maoridom generally, in the Council’s view it is a great result for New Zealand as it is New Zealand as a community that has to solve these problems in the New Zealand way.

The Waitangi Tribunal has intervened in a constructive way affirming its value as an important institution in New Zealand. The Tribunal under great pressure produced a clear and cogent decision which benefited all parties.

The fundamental problem was that the Government wished to act prematurely in proceeding with the sale of the power-generating state owned assets without determining the extent of Maori rights and interests in water.

The New Zealand Maori Council is astute to the fiscal responsibilities of the Government in these turbulent times and will approach dialogue in a responsible way.

There is a path through these difficulties and the Government can be assured that the NZMC will meet its responsibilities to Maoridom in a way which is beneficial for all New Zealand.

The Maori Party is to be commended for its constructive role in influencing this result with the Government.

ENDS

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