Iwi vs The Crown, It isn’t Going to Go Away Minister

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

Now the Attorney General might get involved

I see Housing Minister is in Auckland this morning for whatever reason that might be. However, I also saw this from the Herald this morning as well:

Finlayson might join iwi in court

5:30 AM Wednesday Jun 17, 2015 Isaac Davison

Minister looks at backing Maori effort to clarify right of refusal for housing land but says challenge ‘a surprise’
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson has not ruled out joining iwi in court to resolve a dispute on the sale of surplus land in Auckland to private developers.

But Mr Finlayson appears to be fuming about Ngati Whatua and Tainui-Waikato’s legal challenge over the right of first refusal, which he said came as a complete surprise.

The challenge to the surplus land policy has embarrassed the Government and threatened to hold up the construction of new homes.

Labour leader Andrew Little urged Housing Minister Nick Smith to resign his portfolio, saying the iwi dispute was the latest in a series of errors.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday only offered a half-hearted defence of Dr Smith.

Asked in Parliament whether Dr Smith had the housing market fully under control, Mr Key did not immediately back his minister.

Ngati Whatua and Tainui-Waikato are expected to file papers with the court this week to clarify their right of first refusal on up to 500ha slated for development.

Mr Finlayson said he was waiting on advice from the Solicitor-General before deciding whether to make a joint application with iwi to the High Court.

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Full article: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11466239

Bean Head desking

Well looking at this at face value you could say this has basically pitted Minister against Minister/Attorney General. Not sure what you might call it but I would call it embarrassing. I think it might be time for Nick Smith to go (entirely) and place an Auckland MP who has a clue about Auckland as the Housing Minister. And yes some readers here will see some irony to that last sentence I wrote.

Remember: In Victoria They Are Getting Stuff Done. In New Zealand….