Anger boils over at hui on asset sales | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Angry questions were asked as Finance Minister Bill English and Maori from the region thrashed out the Government's proposed asset sales yesterday.

Mr English addressed about 250 Maori from Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu in the Eulogy Lounge at Wanganui Function Centre.

He made a short presentation, then answered questions.

The words of introductory speaker Sir Wira Gardiner were briefly drowned out by shouting and singing from protesters outside, and the first questions were mainly angry statements of mistrust and grievance.

Mr English began by saying the Government recognised it had Treaty obligations, that Maori interests would continue to be recognised in unsold national assets and that the proposed sales would not affect the ownership of water.

Ownership of water was being dealt with specifically in Treaty claims, and also by the Land and Water Forum in a process that could take another three years.

If a Treaty claim included assets owned by Genesis Power, the Government could take those assets from Genesis and use them to settle the claim.

Genesis diverts water from the Whanganui River, and Maori had their claim for the river on their minds. There were placards outside saying "Awa is not 4 sale" and shouts of "We're fighting for our water".

The Government proposes to sell 49 per cent of Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Meridian Energy and Solid Energy.

There were three options for protecting Maori interests after the sales: Keeping the current clause used for that purpose; changing it to make it more specific; and dropping it altogether.

"There are not many fans for that," Mr English said.

He listed other ways Maori interests would be protected and said asset sales would prevent the Government going further into debt.

"New Zealand is like a big household with a large overdraft. We are one of the most indebted countries to foreigners in the world," he said.

Money from the sales would build hospitals and schools, and give New Zealanders something more solid to invest in than finance companies.

Iwi would be natural partners for the Government in the investments.

The people in the room listened to Mr English without many interruptions. But the first questions to him were more in the nature of angry statements.

One woman had brought photographs of the results of fracking (a process used in oil and gas prospecting) on Taranaki water.

Another asked whether further investment in the energy companies would dilute the Government share below 51 per cent. Mr English said the Government would put in more capital to prevent that.

A woman said the consultation period (February 1-22) was not long enough.

"I don't want to buy into a resource that I already own," she said.

Hape Lomax, from Rangitikei, said his people opposed the changes "because we don't trust you. Maori have suffered enough".

Mr English said what was being contemplated wouldn't harm Mr Lomax or Maori.

"In fact what's going on around Treaty claims and the management of water is going to improve the opportunity for iwi to be involved."

A Manawatu man said Mr English should prove his sincerity by promising the sales would only happen with 75 per cent approval from Parliament. Mr English said he would not promise that, and the November election gave his government the mandate to act.

PARTIAL ASSET SALES

Government wants to sell up to 49 per cent of:

Genesis Power

Meridian Energy

Solid Energy

Mighty River Power - which would go first

The sales would:

Save $5 billion to $7billion in borrowings

Limit individual shareholdings to 10 per cent

Give New Zealanders first priority

List the companies on the stock exchange

Help the companies grow