11 Apr 2011

First right of refusal wanted on state forests

6:32 am on 11 April 2011

The Maori Party wants iwi to have first right of refusal on all Government owned forests put up for sale.

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell says Tainui and Ngai Tahu have already put a case to the Government for preferential purchasing rights to forestry land.

He told Waatea News that Carter Holt Harvey's sale of more than 17,000 hectares of forest to foreign investors in February highlights the scope of the problem.

Mr Flavell said the Overseas Investment Office should at least consult iwi when forest land is sold.