Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Hui planned on SOE sales law changes

Updated at 9:55 pm on 27 January 2012

The Government is to hold a series of hui to consult with Maori on how they might be affected by the legislative changes needed to partially privatise four state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

The proposed changes will remove four electricity companies and a coal company from the SOE Act and put them under new legislation that ensures the Government retains at least 51% ownership.

SOE Minister Tony Ryall says the Government wants to talk to Maori about their views on the changes.

He says, at the moment, section nine of the SOE Act has a reference to interests and principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Mr Ryall says there will be debate about whether it's necessary to have that reference in the new legislation.

He says early indications are that Maori are interested in investing but he says encouraging investment is not the purpose of this consultation.

The first of nine hui - which will be facilitated by Sir Wira Gardiner - will be held in Rotorua on 8 February.

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