Maori trade unionist Syd Kepa says iwi leaders backing National's plan to sell State assets are forgetting the lessons of history.
Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon says that while previous privatisations such as New Zealand Rail were poorly handled, Prime Minister John Key's proposal is a new chapter.
But Mr Kepa, who's the Maori vice president of the Council of Trade Unions, says assets sales were disastrous for Maori, and some communities still haven't recovered.
"Places like Murupara and Kaingaroa were a hive of activity. Now (they're) a place of gangs," he said.
