Maori Council opts to challenge MRP sale through courts

Friday 19th October 2012

The Maori Council will today file papers in the High Court seeking a judicial review of the government's plan to sell down Mighty River Power.

Council solicitor Donna Hall told Radio New Zealand the case is that the government "is acting illegally in proceeding to sell the shares" before establishing what prior rights Maori have.

"There's now a final decision to proceed with litigation," she said.

The council has been consulting Maori groups this week since the government's announcement on Monday that it would proceed with the sale and would scratch Mighty River Power from the list of companies covered by the State owned Enterprises Act.

The Maori Council spent Thursday visiting claimants along the Waikato River to seek feedback on what its next move should be - and also secured some funding for the challenge, Radio New Zealand reported.

"The council has sufficient funding to commence the legal challenge," Hall said.

The Maori Council is expecting a tough fight through the courts with the government after Prime Minister John Key ended talks with Maori over how the Mighty River Power sale could help address Maori claims to rights in freshwater resources.

Finance Minister Bill English has made clear the timing of the Crown announcement is intended to flush out likely Maori Council and any other legal action.

A Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday next week will agree to remove MRP from the State-Owned Enterprises Act in preparation for sale, an action requiring an Order-in-Council signed by the Governor-General, also scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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