Treaty under attack say Rotorua protesters
Maori who feel cheated by the Government’s plans to sell off state-owned assets have laid down a strong and vocal opposition to Government officials in Rotorua.
More than 200 iwi representatives came together to hear the Government’s plan from Finance Minister Bill English at the first of a series of consultation hui at the Distinction Hotel.
Before the hui got under way, a group of 80 protesters marched to the hotel waving banners and flags while chanting “Aotearoa is not for sale” and “John Key, John Key, where are you going to hide”.
The protesters were carrying a coffin with the words Treaty of Waitangi written on it which they said symbolised their feelings that the Treaty of Waitangi was dying.
They were stopped in their attempts to carry the coffin into the hui by a line of police. Words were exchanged but no one was arrested. The coffin was then laid on the driveway of the hotel.
Leading the protest group was Rotorua local Peter Wilson, dressed as an admiral, and Tuhipo Kereopa, who was wearing a korowai. They were symbolising the navy and Maori who were both present at the signing of the Treaty.
Apart from the confrontation at the hotel, the protest was peaceful. Protesters marched from Murray Linton Rose Gardens, where they heard speeches from various people including Te Arawa activist Annette Sykes and Green MP Denise Roche.
The Government is asking iwi at the consultation hui about whether it should retain a Treaty clause, section 9, when it sells 49 per cent of Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy.
Section 9 prohibits the Crown from acting in a manner inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and has been the subject of several legal cases to clarify it.
Hikoi co-organiser Bernie Hornfeck said they were concerned about three things – the Treaty of Waitangi being under attack, the assets being sold without Treaty protection and the sale of the Crafar farms.
Finance Minister Bill English received a rowdy reception from the protesters and with Treasury officials and Te Puni Kokiri representatives gave the Government’s presentation to a packed audience.
They included prominent iwi leaders from tribes from the Bay of Plenty and Taupo regions and included Ngati Tuwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu Te Heueheu Tukino VIII. Tuhoe representative Aubrey Temara, Ngai te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao as well as many Te Arawa leaders. Also present was Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.
Mr English outlined the Government’s proposals and said the Government wanted to understand Maori views before it made its final decisions.
“We are engaging with you on the basis of our Treaty partnership and we are consulting with you on the change of ownership and selling down of those SOEs.”
Mr English said Kiwis would be in front of the queue when shares were sold and this included ordinary mums and dads.
He said they had received a lot of interest from Maori organisations who were interested in buying shares.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman Toby Curtis said he had been at Waitangi and Maori had made it clear the clause should not be tampered with.
“If it is modified it should be strengthened and the clause should be instituted in any new legislation.”
Sir Tumu said the hui was very positive and was not a one-sided debate. He said iwi leaders should unite and provide the Government with solutions.
He didn’t elaborate on the solutions when asked but said such an approach relied on the strength of a united approach.