Maori have never wanted money for the use of water from local bodies, for community use and town supply.
The issue of water-rights is all about stopping the sale of SOE's and resulting in possible foreign ownership. Maori want our water and assets for all New Zealanders, white and brown alike, so we can all enjoy and benefit from Aotearoa's unique environment.
The Key Government has irresponsibly dug a hole in our economy through excessive borrowing overseas capital, hence their desperation for selling our family silver (SOE's) to 'chopstick” swingers.
$120 million to date has been wasted on the presumed sale of SOE's.
Owen Glen, one of New Zealand's most successful men, said selling SOE's and assets is the most stupid thing imaginable.
Instead of criticizing Maori why not target the white skin Parnell 'cowboys” and their failed finance companied who squirrelled billions of hard working New Zealanders savings into overseas trusts which can be readily traced through the banking system.
Passing legislation to extradite these stolen monies and trusts back to New Zealand to their rightful owners would eliminate our badly used foreign debt.

Hugh McKay, Tauranga.