'Waka's interests' bargaining chip

By JON STOKES

Maori MP Nanaia Mahuta will seek major concessions for her Tainui tribe if the Government wants her ongoing support.

The MP, who would be a certainty to win a by-election in her electorate if she left Labour, would leave Parliament in a potential 60-60 vote deadlock if she opted out.

It is understood she will use this bargaining power to demand an exclusion from the foreshore and seabed legislation for the Tainui confederation to stop her from going.

Speculation Ms Mahuta would quit the party after crossing the floor at yesterday's reading of the contentious bill was put on hold when she told the House she was staying.

It is understood Ms Mahuta's decision followed a meeting with heads of the powerful Tainui confederation after Wednesday's hikoi in Wellington.

At the meeting the confederation, which includes the Waikato, Maniapoto, Hauraki and Raukawa iwi, committed to supporting Ms Mahuta whether she stayed with Labour, or walked.

Confederation spokesman Harry Mikaere said Ms Mahuta gave the group an assurance she would fight for the interests of the waka.

He said this included an assurance she would seek protection for Hauraki's outstanding treaty claims, which include the eastern coastline from Tauranga's Matakana Island to Mahurangi, between Warkworth and Wellsford.

Mr Mikaere said if Ms Mahuta did not secure concessions for the Tainui confederation then she must resign.

Waikato-Tainui co-chairman Tuku Morgan said the confederation gave Ms Mahuta the mandate to protect the waka's interests.

"She is there as a member for Tainui, that must be her focus.

"Her constituents come first - we put her there. Tamaki Makaurau [Auckland] have their MP [John Tamihere]. Her responsibility is to fight for the interests of Tainui."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and a team of ministers visited the Waikato last month to try to convince Tainui the bill would have no impact on the tribe's claims.

Tainui settled its land confiscation claims in 1995 but claims to the Waikato River and the Manukau, Raglan, Kawhia and Aotea harbours are yet to be settled.

Mr Morgan confirmed the tribe would meet Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson this month.

Ms Mahuta said in Parliament yesterday that Tainui opposed the foreshore and seabed legislation. She said it was a complex issue requiring "solutions found in the Treaty of Waitangi".

The third-term MP also called for greater dialogue and input from Maori for the proposed legislation.

"Mere use rights will not do.

"The Government have said this is the best deal on the table. Heck, it is the only deal on the table, and Maori say no.

"Waikato says no, Hauraki say no, Maniapoto say no, Raukawa say no."