Govt to discuss asset sales plan with Maori

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

SIR WIRA GARDINER: Married to Education Minister Hekia Parata.

Relevant offers

Politics

Treaty obligations to stay in SOE sales law McCully email thief could be Kiwi PSA disappointed Key won't discuss cuts Delays in privatising ACC work account No background checks on Education ministry staff Labour fears for Kiwis in ministry shake-up The one-seat threshold Today In Politics: Thursday, February 23 Police complaint over election programme McCully's emails revealed

The husband of a Cabinet minister will broker a series of talks with Maori on the Government's partial asset sales plan.

Sir Wira Gardiner, who is married to Education Minister Hekia Parata, was today announced as the "facilitator" of a series of hui to consult with Maori on legislative changes for the partial float of four state-owned enterprises.

"We promised to talk with iwi when we originally announced plans to partially sell the four energy companies and Air New Zealand last year," Finance Minister Bill English said.

"We want to understand Maori views before we take final decisions."

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall said specific investment opportunities would not canvassed at the hui, but iwi investment on a commercial basis would be welcomed.

There would be nine hui between February 8 and 15, seven of which would be in North Island centres.

A consultation paper to be released online next Wednesday would also be open to written submissions.

The document would explain how Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy would no longer be covered by the State-Owned Enterprises Act and how they would fall under new legislation.

Written submissions on the paper would close on February 22.

The schedule for hui was:

8 February 10.00am Distinction Rotorua Rotorua

8 February 3.00pm Waikato Stadium Hamilton

9 February 3.00pm Whanganui Racecourse Whanganui

10 February 9.30am Toll Stadium Whangarei

10 February 3.30pm Novotel Auckland Airport Auckland

14 February 10.00am Waihopai Runaka Murihiku Marae Invercargill

14 February 4.00pm Chateau on the Park Christchurch

15 February 10.00am Emerald Hotel Gisborne

15 February 3.30pm Te Puni Kokiri Wellington

- © Fairfax NZ News