27 Sep 2012

Iwi praises Govt over water consultation

4:44 pm on 27 September 2012

The northern branch of one of New Zealand's biggest iwi is praising the Government for the way in which it is dealing with Maori over water rights.

Six hui throughout the country are exploring the idea of offering Maori shares with extra benefits when state-owned power companies are partially sold.

Four of the six hui have been held and the fifth was in Tuai, north of Wairoa, on Thursday morning. The last is on Thursday night.

The chairperson of the Ngati Kahungunu Taiwhenua Incorporation Board says the National-led Government's approach is far different to the way Labour - when in power - dealt with Maori concerns.

Rill Meihana says Labour went ahead with its foreshore and seabed legislation, regardless of opposition from tangata whenua.