Media Release – 3 September 2012

Ngāti Kahungunu takes direct action on Water Rights

“Ngāti Kahungunu is pleased at the Government’s announcement to delay the sell-down of shares in Mighty River Power this afternoon”, said Ngāti Kahungunu Chairman, Ngahiwi Tomoana.

“We are aware that most of our hapū claims have not been settled yet and see this as an opportunity to bring definition to the merits of those claims, before any rights are sold off”

Ngāti Kahungunu has taken a direct approach to protecting their whānau, hapū and marae interests in freshwater. Today they instructed their lawyers Chen Palmer to file a statement of claim in the Waitangi Tribunal.

“Ngāti Kahungunu has the second largest aquifer in New Zealand and it is paramount that this treasured resource is protected”, said Ngahiwi Tomoana.

Ngāti Kahungunu looks forward to engaging constructively with the Government during upcoming consultation.”

• Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is the third largest iwi with 22,000 registered members
• The iwi has the second longest coastline in Aotearoa and stretches from Mahia, Hawke’s bay to Wairarapa

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