Electricorp vows to heed Maori needs

Press, 10 February 1989, Page 3

Electricorp vows to heed Maori needs

By

JANE ENGLAND

The largest State-owned enterprise in New Zealand, Electricorp, yesterday vowed to negotiate with Maori people in an attempt to heed their needs. The corporation, in a submission presented to the Waitangi Tribunal hearing on Ngai Tahu claims, also promised to protect Maori rights relating to lake beds. The corporation was not aspiring to hold lake beds of significance to Maori people according to a submission compiled by Electricorp’s chief executive, Mr Roderick Deane. It was presented by the corporation’s company secretary, Mrs Geraldine Baumann. The corporation, in taking over, in April, 1987, the work of the Ministry of Energy’s electricity division, had inherited an undertaking that previously belonged to the Crown. Although the corporation had two Ministers as shareholders it could no longer be regarded as the Crown. “I consider that

there is still the perception in some quarters that the corporation is the Crown and that it is responsible for Crown actions in the past,” the submission said. The Asset and Purchase Deed of March 31, 1988, between the Crown and the corporation contained important matters for Maori people. The sale and purchase agreement reflected the Court of Appeal’s decision in the New Zealand Council and Graham Latimer case against the AttorneyGeneral. The decision bound the Crown as a treaty partner to ensure that the Stateowned Enterprises Act did not breach the treaty. The corporation had applied for standard water rights to replace those held in perpetuity within 15-year terms. The corporation was considering a programme that would balance commercial requirements with consultation and the resources of regional water boards. The corporation and Crown were still identify-

ing land formerly owned by the electricity division. Corporation land was mainly that on which buildings were sited or where the water control required former riverbeds for spillways. The corporation supported public access to the lakes, rivers and canals under its control. It had liaised with the tangata whenua (Maori people of the land) in some areas. "However, in other areas, the situation the corporation inherited in this regard was not as satisfactory as one would wish. “The corporation has considerable work to do in order to improve its relationship with Maori people,” the submission said. Electricorp was keen to ensure that investigations explored the needs of indigenous fish and wildlife, and heeded Maori advice. “We are hopeful that the future for the corporation and the Maori will be a positive one,” the submission said.