Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Maori Council to keep fighting Treaty water issue

Updated at 11:12 pm on 27 August 2009

The New Zealand Maori Council is vowing to keep fighting for Maori ownership of water despite the High Court refusing leave to take the case to the Supreme Court over the issue.

Spokesperson Jim Nicholls says water is a taonga under the Treaty of Waitangi, but there is no requirement to give Maori applications priority when consents are allocated.

TrustPower and the Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, applied to have the case struck out.

Mr Nicholls says that could have tipped the scales. He told Waatea News the Maori Council is considering an appeal.

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