The government is initiating a new water reform process that focusses on water quality, water allocation and the development of water infrastructure. FoMA want to see more Maori in local government and decision making bodies to protect water interests.
The unresolved issue of ownership rights over water has been a contentious issue between Maori and the Crown for many years. For members of the Federation of Maori Authorities (FoMA) who represent the country’s largest network of guardians of the Maori estate, it is a burning question that could either result in disaster or opportunity for hapu and other land owners. Chief Executive Rino Tirikatene told Te Arawa delegates at a recent economic symposium: “Maori need to become aware of how they can best protect their water interests and be included in how allocation and use decisions are made by local Government.” The organisation wants to see the establishment of a more equitable system of water management and one that will meet the future needs of the Maori estate.
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Key quotes from article:
“While Maori continue to be presented as a burden to the economy, there is increasing recognition that this is in fact far from the truth. With a total asset base of $16.5 billion, research indicates that up to $2.4 billion is transferred annually from the Maori estate to Government tax coffers. This amount exceeds current Government spending on Maori and dwarfs the one billion dollar fiscal cap placed on treaty settlements. While there is increasing pressure being placed on Iwi to fast track the settlement of their Waitangi claims, there is little talk of increasing Maori spending. And yet as settlement assets are transferred to tribes the tax contribution from the Maori estate will increase even more. FoMA want a much more equitable investment back into the Maori estate. It sees the reforms as an opportunity for government to do just that by providing incentives for Maori to develop water infrastructure projects.”
“The fact is the Maori estate is more profitable than the general NZ economy and has a higher savings rate which is why it is exceeding the rest of the country. Investing in Maori businesses is wise economically and ensures our strategic assets aren’t sold offshore,” said Tirikatene.
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