Govt to offer 65 iwi power company shares in forthcoming settlements

Govt to offer 65 iwi power company shares in forthcoming settlements
By Paul McBeth Oct. 17 (BusinessDesk) - The government will offer shares in partially privatised power companies as part of outstanding Treaty of Waitangi settlements with 65 iwi yet to cut a deal, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson have announced. The surprise move comes just two days after the government shot down the "shares plus" option proposed by the Waitangi Tribunal as a way to deal with Maori claims to rights and interests in freshwater, which the government says is owned by non one. The i...