By: Barry Soper | Wednesday, July 11, 2012 6:18 AM

No offence to State Homie John Key but over the water rights row with Maori he's been stating the bleeding obvious.

When they launched their bid at the beginning of the week before an urgent meeting of the Waitangi Tribunal, The Homie was asked about it and said that the grievance body can decide what it likes about the ownership of water but the Government doesn't have to take their recommendations on board - that's the law.

Maori are trying to stop the partial sale of the four big energy companies. They've been happy enough up until now for them to use the water, but now that so called mum and dad investors could get a slice of the action they've become amphibious.

The Homie went on to say the Maori Council that's spearheading the case are after the moolah which is hard to deny given they're expecting compensation for the use of the water.

Hone's mum Titiwhai Harawira's splashing around at the Tribunal hearing and has been none too complimentary about the PM who's hand she lovingly grasps when he visits her marae on Waitangi Day. He could be dateless next February 6 and could also be a little desperate.

If the Tribunal decides in favour of Maori and the Beehive ignores it then there could be a High Court injunction delaying the share float of Mighty River Power in September, robbing the Government of the money it needs for our schools and hospitals.

And his Government could find itself on even more of a knife edge with the Maori Party threatening to throw its rubber duckies out of the bath. Tariana Terrier's not happy with The Homie, suggesting he's not taking their case seriously enough and is undermining the tribunal.

They're now considering their coalition tryst with the Tories, which of course we've all heard before. But then The Terrier does have a track record, having walked from Labour over the Foreshore and Seabed even though its status remains virtually unchanged since she hitched up with The Tories.

But the argument of who owns the water, or for that matter the sea and air, is a no brainer. Anyone who argues otherwise is, well, wet behind the ears!

Photo: NZ Herald