Maori are suggesting they will boycott consultation and say that there is little point in attending. I’d go further and suggest there is little point in negotiating with economic terrorists and brown-mailers.
The chairman for a hapu behind the Maori Council’s Waitangi Tribunal claim on water says he sees little point in the Government’s hui with Maori, which begin today in Hamilton.
Pouakani chairman Tamati Cairns say his hapu had been invited and members would be attending today’s hui.
Pouakani this year succeded with their Supreme Court challenge to the Crown’s assertion of ownership of the Waikato River near Mangakino where Mighty River has a series of dams.
Pouakani, which has said it is prepared to go to the High Court to halt the Mighty River sale if necessary, was still working through the issues associated with its Supreme Court victory. That meant the narrow focus of today’s hui meant in would be of little use to the hapu.
Thankfully John Key isn’t fazed. Nor should he be. It just plays into his hands because when the Government fronts up to court and tells them that he tried to consult but they refused to attend it will be a bonus point to the government case.
The proverbial Rubicon has been crossed with Maori attitude to water and then to wind. The goodwill of most New Zealanders evaporated almost overnight. National needs now to take a strong stance otherwise shameless political charlatans like Winston Peters will fill the void.
