Ma¯ori MPs must have the courage to save our rivers

Winston Peters will be trying for the greatest authority and control he can exert, after the special votes were tallied yesterday.

And that means the advances made in legislation for Ma¯ori over the last nine years are under threat.

With Labour and the Greens taking two seats off National, there is now a chance of a Labour-led government.

I am hopeful that the seven Ma¯ori seats will not be wasted in opposition. In opposition, they can do nothing to temper attempts by New Zealand First to remove Treaty references from the law, scrap Whanau Ora, and remove Mana Whakahonoa¯-rohe / Iwi and Local Government Resource Management Agreements and Kaitiakitanga provisions from the Resource Management Act. This last reform had finally given Iwi voice in water management and recognised stewardship in the environment.

One of my whanaunga Tina Ngata, an environmental activist, described it as a ‘‘hugely significant step to rangatiratanga’’.

I sure as heck know that had Ma¯ori been involved in the management and allocation of water for the past 60 years, our rivers would not be in this state.

Will our Ma¯ori Members of Parliament of all parties stand up for Ma¯ori rights and interests?

My greatest hope is that whichever way the Winnie crumbles, advancements for Te Ao Ma¯ori do not crumble as a result.