Hugh Mackay (August 31) must be living in a dream world if he believes that Maori's attempt to privatise water is for the benefit of all new Zealanders. Why then are they demanding 'shares plus” (free shares, plus boardroom seats, and veto rights over management decisions); royalities and rentals etc. all based on ethnicity?
The recent settling of Waikato River Settlement, according to Office of Treaty Settlements figures, has cost taxpayers $400.80 million. That settlement does not exclude claims for water usage. And that is for only one river!
As for Hugh McKay”s comments about 'white skin Parnell cowboys and their failed finance companies”, does he reminding maoris are equally adept at business failure. Remember Mark Bryers, of Blue Chip fame, who, with his whanau, ripped off predominantly elderly people of hundred of millions of dollars.
The time has come for John Key to show that is a statesman, stop prevaricating, and say no Maori attempts to privatise water, wind and anything else. Appeasement never works, it just results in more claims and the further transfer of assets owned by all New Zealanders to a small ethic minority.

Richard Prince, Welcome Bay.