12 Dec 2012

Water claimant praises judge for recognising tribal plight

7:52 pm on 12 December 2012

One of the co-claimants in the water rights case says the judiciary has highlighted the plight of tribes in being unable to enter talks with the Crown about freshwater.

The High Court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to put on hold the planned sale of shares in state-owned hydro electricity generators.

But the judgement did acknowledge that iwi and hapu are frustrated - because the Government won't address water rights.

The Auckland iwi Ngati Te Ata is one of the water co-claimants.

Its spokesperson Roimata Minhinnick says the judge in the case has hit the nail on the head for Treaty partners.

He says the judge has acknowledged the plight that Maori have had in trying to get recognition of their interests in water.