New Zealand:

Court Warns Maori Council Over Asset Sale Challenge (National Business Review)

The New Zealand Supreme Court has warned the Maori Council it needs to prove the government's ability to recognize Maori interests would be restricted if Crown assets, including geothermal energy producer Mighty River Power, were partially sold.

Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias told council lawyer Colin Carruthers QC this morning he needed to prove the "mechanisms" available to provide recognition for Maori are no longer sufficient if a third party is introduced.

Mr Carruthers says there is an acknowledged claim by Maori to water resources and he argues the sale will deprive the Crown of the ability to provide Maori with an opportunity for a measure of control over their own water and geothermal resources.

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