Ae Marika | 11 September 2012

Ae Marika | 11 September 2012

Posted on September 11, 2012 by admin in Ae Marika

I know last week’s article was on water, but given how quickly things are moving and how high the stakes are for everyone, I’m going back to this well for more.

A quick recap first – government wants to sell shares in its power companies. The NZ Maori Council asked the Waitangi Tribunal for a ruling on how that might affect Maori Treaty rights to water. The Tribunal said that government should stop its asset sales programme until Maori rights had been settled and suggested a hui as part of the process of settling the issue

Last week John Key said that he would defer asset sales for 6 months but that they would still go ahead, and that he would not call a national hui. 24 hours later King Tuheitia said he would call the hui, to be held at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.

Some people think the hui is for iwi leaders, or for claimants, or for the New Zealand Maori Council – it isn’t. It’s for Maori, of any political persuasion and all tribal affiliations. The powhiri is set for 11.30am this Thursday, then after the mihimihi a number of people have been chosen to address the issue and then it will be thrown open for anyone to speak.

From what I hear, Maori people are coming from all over the country and that’s as it should be. Water has huge spiritual significance to Maori, and is deeply embedded in the historical record of every tribe in the country.

But there are grave concerns about whether the hui is the real deal or just a stitch up by those who stand to benefit from private deals with the government.

The Crown case is simple. John Key has already made it clear that he will only deal with iwi leaders who have a stake in the rivers that drive Mighty River Power and public statements from both Tainui and Tuwharetoa suggest he may already have a basic agreement in place.

The fact that 90% of the iwi won’t know anything about the deal until after it’s announced means nothing to Key – all he wants is a deal so he can ram through his asset sales.

The Council case is for a national settlement that recognises Maori interests across the board and that ensures Maori have a say in the ownership, management and use of water. Such an arrangement would give iwi and hapu a strong say in the use of water anywhere, and would mean that principles of guardianship and care for the environment would assume greater importance than is currently the case.

The choice is not as simple as this of course, but history is a good guide. The last time Maori were confronted with an issue this big was the fisheries settlement. Then, instead of following through on a high court ruling and seeking an equal say in the ownership and management of the whole fishery, Maori accepted quota instead. The result of that accord has seen some very shady deals with some very dodgy overseas fishing contractors, very little trickle down, and less Maori working in the fishing industry than before the signing of the Sealord deal.

Taking shares is the same as taking quota – Maori are being asked to sacrifice historical principles for a commercial return. The choice is not that hard at all really …

AE MARIKA is an article written every week by Hone Harawira, leader of the MANA Movement and Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau. You are welcome to use any of the comments and to ascribe them to Mr Harawira. The full range of Hone’s articles can be found on the MANA website at www.mana.net.nz.