UPDATED 5.30PM: The Prime Minister says any Maori water rights would be focused on economic development and conservation rights.

 

MORE: Labour's new man could face protests

MORE: Waitangi hikoi urges end to deep sea oil drilling

AUDIO: John Key's full speech at Te Tii Marae 

John Key is travelling to Kerikeri to discuss the issue with the Iwi Leaders Forum.

The Forum wants that settled by Waitangi Day next year, but Mr Key says it's more likely to be a consultation document finalised in two years.

"A number of sort-of bottom lines if you like from our point of view, which is no one owns water, there wouldn't be a national settlement when it comes to water.

"We think there are some rights and interests, but we need to determine what those are catchment by catchment."

Meanwhile, a Waitangi leader has slammed the government’s closed-door discussions with one Maori group over water rights.

The Freshwater Iwi Leaders’ Group has revealed it and the government have agreed to a work plan, for resolving Maori rights and interest in freshwater by Waitangi Day next year.

The news came just ahead of John Key’s talks with the group at Kerikeri this afternoon.

Ngapuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua told media at Waitangi that Maoridom hasn’t been consulted by the government-appointed group.

"They don't represent our people at all, they don't come back and tell us what is being arranged or what had been agreed, and we are very, very annoyed with iwi leaders who are making deals without the authority of the people."

Irrigation at the forefront

Maori irrigation projects could be in line for a hand-up under the government’s new considerations of water rights.

It’s announced it’ll work with the Iwi Leaders’ Group on a way to recognise Maori claims to freshwater.

John Key says the government’s open to looking at water allocations for iwi and hapu.

"There are some catchments where iwi have land, that land hasn't had historical access to water for irrigation and the question is, for the economic development of that land, should they be able to access some water."

 

Ngapuhi won't be forced to finalise settlement

Iwi and the Crown have agreed on a work plan to address iwi and hapu rights and interests in freshwater and its allocation.

The work plan was approved by Cabinet on Monday, and by iwi leaders yesterday.

The Prime Minister's also making it clear Ngapuhi won't be forced to finalise its Treaty of Waitangi Settlement with the Crown.

John Key made the pledge while speaking on Te Tii marae today following some concern pressure was being put on iwi to settle as soon as possible.

"You can't drag people to the table, force them to sign an agreement," he said.

"If you do that, it's not a real agreement, and it's not lasting and it's not binding."

Key says he's not there to navigate the politics within Nga Puhi and all he can say is that the Government is there as a willing partner to engage, and hopefully settle.

Last year John Key used his Waitangi speech to offer Ngapuhi an interim payment if the tribe appointed representatives and settled quickly.

But the creation of the Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority which supports settlement, hasn't proved popular with all in Ngapuhi.

Chair of rival claimant group Te Kotahitanga, Pita Tipene, says Mr Key has got it wrong by trying to rush things, and it just adds to the other issues Maori feel are going ignored.

"Deep sea oil exploration going on off the West Coast, you name it," he says.

"There are roading issues, there are a whole lot of issues, no, we're not very happy at all."

Tipene says Mr Key tried to rush the process, but has instead held it back.

"The crown has been totally unfair," he says. "They've picked a winner right from the start and they've funded that winner to the detriment of all other claimants at Ngapuhi."

The new Maori Development Minister’s hopeful that dialogue at Waitangi isn’t drowned out by protest.

Te Ururoa Flavell’s at Te Tii Marae this morning for the first time since assuming his party’s co-leadership.

Flavell says he’s keen to be part of the government’s talks with Ngapuhi, although some will avoid going near the marae today.

"While some my put it on the agenda, it's not really an issue that's taken up in the fullest sense other than to say that we want a debate," he says.

"The downside is that for the last couple of years it has been shut down by the actions of one or two."

"We just have to wait and see what falls out."