‘Maori leaders have mounted a bid for effective ownership of a share of the country’s freshwater.
This would allow them, and other with water rights, to onsell it to those who need water for irrigation, hydropower and other commercial uses.
Talks between the powerful Iwi Leaders Group and the Government, fronted by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Environment Minister Nick Smith, are at a critical stage after ministers rejected a nationwide ‘Waterlords’ settlement along the lines of the Sealords deal over Maori commercial fishing claims.
The Government is adamant it will not hand over rights in perpetuity to Maori – but it may compromise by allowing regional councils to do local deals with Maori.
Farmers are worried that there will not be enough water to go around if significant quantities of freshwater are set aside for Maori…’
It pays to be brown….