Government settles key Maori water claim ahead of MRP decision

Government settles key Maori water claim ahead of MRP decision
By Pattrick Smellie Aug 30 (BusinessDesk) - The government has agreed a path to settling a major Maori water claim, relating to the Whanganui River, in the rohe or tribal area of the co-leader of the Maori Party, Tariana Turia. The settlement, announced today by Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson, comes ahead of a Cabinet decision due next Monday on whether to proceed with the partial privatisation of MightyRiverPower in face of a Waitangi Tribunal recommendation to halt the process while Maori claims to rights and inte...