Big guns brought in to support Maori claim

By Keith Newman

Maori claimants who scuttled last month's proposed auction of mobile communications radio frequencies are calling in a raft of experts to support a full hearing before the Waitangi Tribunal which begins at the end of this month.

The spectrum claim is being organised by Rangiho Everton on behalf of the Ngati Raukawa tribe north west of Wellington.

She won a special hearing before the tribunal the day before the scheduled auction last month which agreed there was a case for the Government to respond to. The tribunal requested the Government stop the proposed auction of 35 sets of management rights for frequencies so Maori could discuss how they might share in those rights.

Communications Minister Maurice Williamson refused to enter into discussions on the issue but postponed the auction for three months so a full hearing could be held.

Now Rangiho Everton, who is having her legal fees paid by the Legal Services Board of the Justice Department, is calling in the big guns. She was originally supported by two witnesses, Professor Whatarangi Winiata of Victoria University and her son, computer engineer Graeme Everton, but claims she has the full support of the New Zealand Maori Council and Wellington Maori Language Services.

The tribunal, which will begin hearing the case in full between April 30 and May 12, will call eight high-powered academics and experts, among them Professor Hirini Meade, economist Brian Easton, Maori language expert Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru and business analyst Dennis Sharman who will present evidence relating to the level of Maori involvement in telecommunications and the business opportunities which exist.

The claimants are annoyed that a Waitangi Tribunal report in 1990 which stated Maori had an interest in the radio spectrum resource was ignored. They also referred to a report commissioned by the Ministry of Maori Affairs (Te Puni Kokiri) suggesting "at least 50 per cent" of spectrum be set aside for Maori, which had to be retrieved through the Official Information Act.

The Crown is expected to call its own witnesses and present evidence but has to date given no indication of its plans.

A full report will be produced once the hearing is complete and it is expected to be presented to Mr Williamson some time in June.

"The tribunal will try and work within the time frame provided by the Government," said Waitangi Tribunal registrar Geoff Melvin.