Treaty gives us the wind - Ngapuhi leader

Via Frank

The world is insane.

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin says under the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori might have a claim to the wind.

He says the precedent has been set with Maori claims to water.

"They're all resources," Mr Rankin told Newstalk ZB yesterday. "The wind is a resource. What turns those turbines on those wind farms?"

Mr Rankin says hapu representatives are planning to establish a pan-tribal body to manage shares in commercial wind-generated electricity, and to exercise a casting vote on where wind turbines can be located.

He says article two of the Treaty of Waitangi justifies Maori entitlement to the wind.

"Traditionally, the wind was regarded as a deity in Maori society, and Maori do not consider the Crown have the right to use it without Maori consent."

More @ 3 News