Peter Dunne quoted:
While Maori do have rights with respect to water interests, they are not, nor can ever be, exclusive rights. Were they to be so, the logical conclusion must be that all New Zealand’s natural resources are owned by Maori, a claim that has long been rejected.
As with the foreshore and seabed, natural resources like air and water belong to all New Zealanders, and it is the Crown’s responsibility to exercise that ownership equally and fairly on our behalf.
Where customary usage can be established, then it would be appropriate to negotiate a particular settlement in each instance, again in a manner similar to the provisions of the foreshore and seabed legislation.
UnitedFuture long promoted the public domain solution for the foreshore and seabed, which was finally enshrined in the 2010 legislation. The same principle ought to be followed in respect of the current water rights debate.
siaosi tofi
/ October 3, 2012Hi there Pete. Where did you source this quote? was it a transcript from a tv interview, if so which one? many thanks – S
Pete George
/ October 3, 2012It was a reply to an email I sent.
siaosi tofi
/ October 3, 2012Cheers Pete. Im an undergraduate law student doing a study on the MoM. Nothing big (i.e. not a post graduate work) its just part of a group assignment for a paper Im taking this semester. Ive been looking into UF’s input and policies around the MoM. Do you mind if I quote your material? I will not touch it without your permission. Cheers either way Pete
– p.s. I’ll continue reading your blog.
Pete George
/ October 3, 2012Fine to quote my material. If you need a date reference that email was on 14 September 2012.
I presume you have looked back through posts. In particular note:
http://yournz.org/2012/06/23/is-peter-dunne-breaking-a-promise-on-water-assets/
Also this explains how UF played a part in holding National to commitments:
http://yournz.org/2012/06/21/politicians-journalists-and-bloggers-fix-mom-bill/
And Peter Dunne has just given a speech that includes explaining his MOM position:
http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/peter-dunnes-keynote-address-to-petone-rotary/
If there’s any other way I can help just ask. If you want any information directly from Peter Dunne I can help with that.
siaosi tofi
/ October 4, 2012Thanks very much Pete really appreciate that. A huge help – cheers
Bruce P
/ October 18, 2012Hey Siaosi, its Bruce Papuni here bro. Just thought Id try and get in touch.