Fresh water must remain in public hands – Dunne

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has rebutted claims from Te Wai Maori Trust that successful freshwater management relies on Maori having ownership over our waterways.

“The suggestion from the Te Wai Maori Trust is simply ludicrous and unnecessarily inflammatory,” said Mr Dunne.

“Without doubt it is crucial for iwi to be involved in decisions around fresh water management in New Zealand, but I see no correlation between that and outright ownership of the resource.”

“At a time when communities around New Zealand are fighting to preserve access to public resources this statement comes as another blow.”

“Yesterday I was in Murupara listening to the town’s concern over Timberland’s unreasonable restriction of access to rivers, lakes and game within the Kaingaroa Forest. The overwhelming theme from that community was that access to these public resources must be preserved and if necessary, enhanced.”

“To propose that the only way to effectively manage fresh water in New Zealand is for it to be transferred to private Maori ownership flies directly in the face of public opinion.”

“As New Zealanders we are rightfully proud of the egalitarian tradition of public domain that allows us all to enjoy our great outdoors.”

“I fear that what we are seeing now is the thin end of the wedge when it comes to the battle to maintain public access rights.”

“Unfortunately proposals like those of the Te Wai Maori Trust will simply inflame public concerns about the future of public access.”

“If we are not vigilant exclusive capture and the privatisation of public resources will prevent ordinary kiwis from enjoying our outdoor heritage, instead it will become a domain exclusively of the rich and privileged,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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