Water rights out of control

David Shearer is absolutely right when he says the situation regarding Maori Water Rights has got completely out of control. It is absolutely ridiculous that a body representing only 15% of the people in this country can tell the Govt what to do. I am of course referring to the Waitangi Tribunal's latest recommendation that the SOEs not go on sale until the Water Rights issue has been settled. As one of your correspondents recently said 'which part of the water system do Maori want?” I presume it is only the water in the lake directly feeding the hydro dam. If so will Maori then pay a fee to the power companies or regional bodies to carry away the water that spills out from the power turbines after the power generation process has been completed? As I see it the Maori claim is a nonsense which cannot be practically applied and is only motivated by greed. I hope John Key will stick to his word show strength on this issue and not become an doormat for Maori.

Margaret Hills, Tauranga.